The last section of the Shanghai-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge -- linking Zhangjiagang, Suzhou and Tongzhou, Nantong in Jiangsu province -- was installed on Sept 20, according to officials.

The bridge is the world's largest road-rail cable-stayed bridge with a length of more than 11 kilometers and a main span of 1,092 meters. Its main tower soars 330 m high. 

It features a six-lane expressway on the upper deck and four railway tracks on the lower deck, which can support the running of inter-city railways with a designed speed of more than 200 km per hour. 

To date, about 480,000 tons of steel have been used in its construction, 12 times more than for the renowned National Stadium in Beijing. 

Officials said this allows the bridge to withstand violent typhoons, magnitude-8 earthquakes and the impact from a collision with a 100,000 ton ship. 

According to officials, the track laying of the bridge will start in January 2020 and the whole project is expected to finish within that year. 

It will help bring Nantong within the one-hour economic circle of Shanghai and ensure the smooth passage of shipping on the Yangtze River, while easing road and railway traffic congestion in the Yangtze River Delta region in eastern China. 

Asphalt paving takes place on the Shanghai-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge, which links Zhangjiagang and Tongzhou. It is the largest road-rail cable-stayed bridge, with a length of more than 11 kilometers and a main span of 1,092 meters. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A panoramic view of the Shanghai-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]