(Yicai Global) Oct. 8 -- The longest double-deck suspension bridge in the world has opened to traffic in Central China's Wuhan.

The construction of the Yangsigang Bridge has been completed, making it the first double-deck suspension bridge across the Yangtze River, China News reported. 

Wuhan's Urban Construction Investment and Development Group invested in the project that kicked off in July 2015 and was scheduled to be finished this month. The bridge contains six lanes on both levels, one of which has additional cycling lanes and footpaths for pedestrians.

The main span of the Yangsigang Bridge is 1,700 meters, which means that it is nearly 300 meters shorter than Japan's Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge which, however, only has one deck, according to Chief Engineer Xu Gongyi. 

The completion of the project will ease traffic congestion and spur Wuhan's development as a national central city, said Lin Chi, deputy general manager of the government-backed investor. Wuhan was added to the nation's top list of significant urban hubs in 2016.  

Editor: Emmi Laine