These five structures are the longest bridges in the entire world, representing some of the most impressive engineering feats of all time.
1. Danyang-Kunshan: 164 km
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand connects the cities of Hangzhou and Nanjing in China. As such, it reduces travel times between the cities from four hours to one hour. Part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, the 164 km long bridge cost $8.5 billion to construct, and took four years to complete, opening in June 2011.
2. Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct: 157.3 km
Part of the Taiwan High-Speed Railway, the Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct was designed to connect Baguashin in Changhua County with Zuoying, Kaohsiung in Taiwan. Completed in 2007, this impressive structure spans 157.3 km, making it the second longest bridge in the world (coming close to Dangyang-Kunshan). The Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct takes travelers across a diverse range of terrain, passing through expanses of water, rural areas and developed urban regions.
3. Cangde Grand: 116 km
Stretching an incredible 116 km across China, the Cangde Grand connects a shorter route between the cities of Beijing and Shanghai. It thereby forms an integral part of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway line. It was completed in 2010, and measures around 116 km, making it the third longest bridge in the entire world.
4. Tianjin Grand: 113 km
Tianjin Grand opened to the public in 2011, after four years of extensive construction work. Its expanse of 113 km connects Langfang and Qingxia in China, measuring as the fourth longest bridge in the world. Tianjin was constructed in 32 individual sections, which were all built separately before being joined into one colossal structure.
5. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge: 79 km
Coming in as the fifth longest bridge in the world, Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge in China measures some 79km long. While the road bridge was completed in 2008, the bridge’s rail component came later, in 2010. It is now an integral component of the Zhengzhou-Xi’an High Speed Railway network. The bridge spreads over a series of different rivers along its winding route, including the Ling, Xi, Luofu, and Shi Di.
