Indonesia yesterday gave the initial go-ahead for the world’s longest road and railway suspension bridge. Financial Times

The $10bn (£4.91bn, €7.03bn) project across the 30 km Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra would comprise a series of bridges carrying a six-lane highway and double-track railway traversing three small islands in the strait.

At 3 km the longest span would be more than 50% longer than the longest existing structure, the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge in Japan.

Construction would begin in 2012 if feasibility studies are favourable.