Qingdao Gulf Bridge, a sea-crossing bridge that connects two economically important regions on Qingdao's east and west coasts and costs over nine-billion-yuan (US$1.125 billion) investment, started to invite global bidding. At present, tens of large domestic and foreign companies and famous enterprises have made inquiry and negotiations in Qingdao City.

Upon completion, Qingdao Gulf Bridge will span Qingdao's Jiaozhou Bay and link Qingdao's major city zones in the east and west together. This 35.4-km bridge starts westward from the 308 National Road to Huangdao. Its main part on the sea has a length of 28km and is estimated to cost nine billion yuan.

Officials from Qingdao Municipal Committee of Communication indicated that in order to settle the problems of financial inadequacy and ensure completion of the project before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, it has been decided that the bridge will be constructed on the basis of social financing and a global bidding will be open to domestic and foreign syndicates.

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