Mexican President Felipe Calderon opened the tallest suspension bridge in the world, Baluarte Bridge, on Thursday.

The bridge, which connects the north-western Mexican state of Sinaloa with Durango and Mazatlan, has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest suspension bridge in the world. The cable-supported bridge can easily fit the Eiffel Tower under its middle part.

"This project will unite the people of northern Mexico as never before," President Calderon said at the inauguration ceremony.

The four-lane bridge was built at a height of 403.4 metres (1,320 feet) and is part of the Mazaltan-Durango highway and was built at a cost of more than 20 billion pesos ($1.46 billion).

Nearly 86 percent of the project is complete. The entire stretch will become operational by the end of January 2012.

World039s Highest Bridge
A view of the Baluarte Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world, that connects the north-western state of Sinaloa with Durango and Mazatlan, during the official launch January 5, 2012. Reuters
World039s Highest Bridge
A view of the Baluarte Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world. Reuters
World039s Highest Bridge
People walk along the Baluarte Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world, that connects the north-western state of Sinaloa with Durango and Mazatlan. Reuters
World039s Highest Bridge
Mexican President Felipe Calderon pours concrete to kick off the final stage of construction of the highest suspension bridge in the world during the official launch of the bridge in Sinaloa. Reuters
Mexico