The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in Qingdao, China, which was opened on Thursday, is now the world’s longest sea bridge. Spanning Jiaozhou Bay of Qingdao City in Shandong Province, the bridge is 22 miles (36 kilometers) long, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The open sea bridge took about four years of construction and connects port city of Qingdao, south-east of Beijing, to the industrial district of Huangdao.

The bridge, which cost about $2.3 billion, will save the travel time between the two places from about 40 minutes to nearly 20 minutes, allowing business travelers to commute conveniently.

According to the city's traffic management committee, the bridge has over 5,000 pillars, and is about three miles longer than the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana.

Worlds longest cross-sea bridge opens in China
Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge is seen in Qingdao, Shandong province, in this general view taken June 27, 2011. REUTERS/CDIC
Worlds longest cross-sea bridge opens in China
A sign that reads: "Shandong Highway Corp. invests to operate Shandong Highway Jiaozhou Bay Bridge" is seen at Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in Qingdao, Shandong province June 27, 2011. REUTERS/CDIC
Worlds longest cross-sea bridge opens in China
A band plays during the opening ceremony of the Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in Qingdao, Shandong province June 30, 2011. REUTERS/CDIC
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