How Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi was built - in pictures

  • The late president Sheikh Khalifa returns a pair of scissors he used to cut the ceremonial ribbon symbolising the formal opening of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, on November 28, 2010. Photo: Wam
    The late president Sheikh Khalifa returns a pair of scissors he used to cut the ceremonial ribbon symbolising the formal opening of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, on November 28, 2010. Photo: Wam
  • Sheikh Zayed Bridge under construction on August 8, 2008. Stephen Lock/The National
    Sheikh Zayed Bridge under construction on August 8, 2008. Stephen Lock/The National
  • The bridge under construction in Abu Dhabi on March 4, 2009. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the bridge took seven years to build. Sammy Dallal/The National
    The bridge under construction in Abu Dhabi on March 4, 2009. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the bridge took seven years to build. Sammy Dallal/The National
  • Work under way on the main arch of Sheikh Zayed Bridge on October 14, 2009. Jaime Puebla/The National
    Work under way on the main arch of Sheikh Zayed Bridge on October 14, 2009. Jaime Puebla/The National
  • Construction on the arches of Sheikh Zayed Bridge on April 28, 2010. They required more than 12,000 tonnes of steel and 250,000 cubic metres of concrete. Jaime Puebla/The National
    Construction on the arches of Sheikh Zayed Bridge on April 28, 2010. They required more than 12,000 tonnes of steel and 250,000 cubic metres of concrete. Jaime Puebla/The National
  • The bridge on October 11, 2010, a day before it was set to open on October 12, 2010. The National
    The bridge on October 11, 2010, a day before it was set to open on October 12, 2010. The National
  • The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi in its final stage of construction. The National
    The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi in its final stage of construction. The National
  • The bridge pictured a month before it officially opened. It has three arches and four traffic lanes on each side. Rich-Joseph Facun/The National
    The bridge pictured a month before it officially opened. It has three arches and four traffic lanes on each side. Rich-Joseph Facun/The National
  • Final touches are carried out on Sheikh Zayed Bridge a month from its inauguration. Rich-Joseph Facun/The National
    Final touches are carried out on Sheikh Zayed Bridge a month from its inauguration. Rich-Joseph Facun/The National
  • One of the three arches of Sheikh Zayed Bridge, inspired by the sand dunes of the desert and waves beneath. Pictured in October 2010, just before the bridge opened to traffic. Lee Hoagland/The National
    One of the three arches of Sheikh Zayed Bridge, inspired by the sand dunes of the desert and waves beneath. Pictured in October 2010, just before the bridge opened to traffic. Lee Hoagland/The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Bridge in October 2010. The design, by Zaha Hadid, was a challenge to build. Lee Hoagland/The National
    Sheikh Zayed Bridge in October 2010. The design, by Zaha Hadid, was a challenge to build. Lee Hoagland/The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Bridge in October 2010. The bridge took seven years to complete after a brief pause in construction in 2008. Lee Hoagland/The National
    Sheikh Zayed Bridge in October 2010. The bridge took seven years to complete after a brief pause in construction in 2008. Lee Hoagland/The National
  • Workers on the bridge on October 24, 2010. Lee Hoagland/ The National
    Workers on the bridge on October 24, 2010. Lee Hoagland/ The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Bridge was inaugurated by the late president Sheikh Khalifa with Queen Elizabeth II of the UK in attendance. Lee Hoagland/The National
    Sheikh Zayed Bridge was inaugurated by the late president Sheikh Khalifa with Queen Elizabeth II of the UK in attendance. Lee Hoagland/The National