A rendering of Zhanggao Bridge [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

The world's largest span bridge, Zhangjiagang-Rugao Bridge, will link the two county-level cities of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou and Rugao in Nantong, Jiangsu province, according to a local news report on July 6.

The main span of the bridge will be 2,300 meters and will run over the Yangtze River. It will feature an eight-lane expressway supporting speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

Construction on the bridge is expected to start this year and will greatly ease traffic congestion on the Jiangyin Yangtze Bridge after it opens to the public.

The bridge will take five years to build and cost a total of 25.45 billion yuan ($3.6 billion).