SHANGHAI - The main portion of steel for the east span replacement of the San Francisco Bay Bridge was delivered on Monday by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co, China's biggest heavy machinery maker, said an official with the company.

This is the biggest project so far of the state-owned equipment manufacturing enterprise with the total contract worth $350 million, said Kang Xuezeng, president of the company.

Through five years of effort, Zhenhua made the sections of the steel bridge, tower and floating crane for the famous bridge.

With the capacity of 300,000 vehicles per day, the bridge spans 565 meters and the steel tower rises 160 meters.

Zhenhua hopes the quality and safety of this project will increase its reputation in the global construction market, Kang said.

The company has received orders for steel for bridges in Denmark and the Republic of Korea.

The success of the San Francisco Bay Bridge project sets a good example for Chinese companies in the global steel market, said Li Jianghua, chief director with the project.