World's highest cable-stayed bridge inaugurated

Baluarte bridge, world's highest cable-stayed bridge, is inaugurated by Mexican President Felipe Calderon.


The bridge, which is 403m tall, can easily fit the Eiffel Tower under its central span. 


Part of a new highway, it covers a deep ravine located in Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental mountains.


The BBC reports:
"The Mazatlan-Durango highway replaces a notoriously dangerous winding road known as the "Devil's backbone" that crosses the jagged peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

As well as Baluarte, there will be eight other bridges over 300m high, as well as more than 60 tunnels.

Officials say it will reduce the journey between Mazatlan and Durango by about six hours.

Eventually, it will form part of a modern highway linking the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

As the highest cable-stayed bridge in the world, it surpasses the famous Millau Viaduct in France."


The inauguration ceremony is a part of festivities marking Mexico's 200 years of independence from Spain. The traffic is expected to open later this year.