On March 18, 2022, the 1915 Canakkale Bridge was opened in Turkey. The country of Turkey is mainly in Asia, but part of it lies in Europe. The Dardanelles Strait separates the two parts. The new bridge crosses the Dardanelles Strait, connecting Europe and Asia.

The bridge sets a new record for the world’s longest suspension bridge (悬索桥), whose largest section (段) is 2,023 meters long. It is about 33 meters longer than that of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the earlier record holder.

The bridge’s name is related to an important Turkey’s 1915 victory against England and France during the World War I in the Dardanelles Strait. Besides, the bridge also contains several special numbers. Its towers are 318 meters high and the bridge was opened on March 18 (3/18). Those numbers mark the day that Turkey normally honors soldiers killed during the war.

Building the bridge wasn’t easy. It took five years and cost about $2.7 billion. But the opening of the bridge will make a contribution to Turkey’s economic development—it will help Turkey save up to $458 million a year, because trips crossing the Dardanelles Strait will be using far less fuel and polluting much less. People can drive across the Strait in about six minutes. Before the bridge, the fastest way to cross the Strait was by boat. The trip was about an hour, but waiting to get on and off the boat could take hours longer.

【小题1】What places does the 1915 Canakkale Bridge connect?
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【小题2】How long is the largest section of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge?
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【小题3】Why did the bridge open on March 18?
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【小题4】How much did people spend building the bridge?
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【小题5】Was the fastest way to cross the Strait by boat after the bridge was built?
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