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The Hangzhou Bay Bridge is the worlds 4th longest bridge 3rd longest over water bridge and the worlds longest Trans-oceanic bridge at 22.17 miles long . 

 

Construction on this bridge started on June 8th, 2003 and was completed on June 14th, 2007.  The opening ceremony was on June 26th, 2007 even though the bridge was not officially open to the public until May 1st, 2008. This is as of this posting the longest bridge in China and was built to last at least 100 years. 

Hangzhou Bay Bridge is a bridge with cable-stayed bridge portions across the Hangzhou Bay off the east coast of china.  The bridge was built in an s shape so that the annual silver dragon is minimally affected. The bridge has two main spans a 1,470 ft northern span and a 1,043 ft southern span.

The bridge has 6 express lanes in two directions. The speed limit is 62 miles per hour.   Orthotropic steel deck is used on its main spans and five ramp bridges, and was paved with 50 millimeters (2.0 in) epoxy asphalt concrete. 

 

The bridge uses different colors and flashing lights to keep drivers from getting drowsy and pay attention to the road instead.  Previously the trip from Ningbo to Shanghai and southern Jiangsu involved a detour of around 400 km (249 mi), the bridge reduces that distance to 80 km (50 mi), a reduction of 320 km (199 mi).

The result is that Ningbo, with its port at Beilun, will be able to compete with Shanghai’s port Pudong for international sea freight.

This is just one of the investments China has made in it’s transportation infrastructure in the past few years.  

The bridge is expected to boost tourism in Ningbo.  Again I do not have the figures on how much steel was used in the construction of this bridge but if you get it I will post it,  and as always if you have this information feel free to comment.