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World’s Tallest Bridge, Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in China, Set to Open
Soaring to nearly double the height of the Eiffel Tower, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is poised to become the world’s highest bridge, dramatically reducing travel time as it spans across mountain peaks. Scheduled to open in June, this monumental structure will ascend 625 meters above the Beipan River in China‘s Guizhou Province, offering breathtaking views and improved connectivity.
Reducing Travel Time and Height Comparison
Upon completion, motorists traversing the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will find themselves approximately 200 meters higher than the summit of New York’s iconic Empire State Building. This impressive infrastructure project will link the Liuzhi and Anlong areas, cutting journey durations from an estimated 70 minutes to a mere 60 seconds.
Project Details and Tourist Attractions
Construction on this ambitious motorway undertaking commenced in 2022 and is anticipated to conclude after three years, with a total investment of £216 million. The bridge site is planned to feature several tourist attractions, including:
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- A glass elevator within one of the bridge towers providing access to a bar and café.
- Glass-bottomed sections at road level, designed to give visitors the sensation of “floating” above the canyon.
- The world’s highest bungee jumping platform, positioned at a maximum height of 620 meters (2,020 feet) above the river.
Economic and Engineering Significance
According to Chen Jianlei, deputy director of the Guizhou Transport Department, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will “strengthen economic ties between Guiyang, Anshun, and Qianxinan, promoting regional economic integration.”
Zhang Shenglin, a deputy in the 14th National People’s Congress, emphasized the bridge’s broader significance, stating, “This super project bridging the ‘Earth’s crack’ will showcase China’s engineering prowess and bolster Guizhou‘s ambition to evolve into a premier tourist destination.” He further noted that the bridge’s steel framework weighs roughly 22,000 metric tons – equivalent to three Eiffel Towers – which was assembled in just two months.
Architectural and Construction Feats
The bridge stands as an exceptional architectural achievement, supported by twin main towers reaching 262 meters (860 feet) skyward. Beyond claiming the title of the world’s tallest bridge, it will also be the longest of its kind constructed in a mountainous region.
Spanning a total length of 1,420 meters (4,650 feet), the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge represents the latest addition to the region’s extensive infrastructure network, which includes 30,000 bridges built since the late 1970s.
This extensive bridge construction is largely due to the region’s topography, with 92.5% of Guizhou characterized by mountains and hills. Consequently, nearly half of the world’s top 100 tallest bridges are located in this province.
Engineer’s Perspective
Li Zhao, chief engineer of the project, expressed his personal fulfillment: “Witnessing my work materialize – observing the bridge develop daily and ultimately rise above the canyon – provides me with a profound sense of accomplishment and pride.”
Innovative Construction Techniques
Wu Chaoming, a senior engineer involved in the project, highlighted the use of “the world’s largest span cable hoisting system” to elevate steel girders to the bridge’s construction level, demonstrating cutting-edge construction methodologies.
China’s Bridge Building Leadership
China currently holds the record for the world’s tallest bridge, also crossing the Beipan River, approximately 200km (120 miles) from the location of the new Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge.
The existing Beipanjiang Bridge connects Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, drastically reducing travel time from over four hours to just one. Completed in 2016 after five years of construction, it received Guinness World Records recognition as the world’s highest bridge in 2018.
Notably, the Beipan River was also the site of a previous record-holder, the Beipanjiang Guanxing Bridge, which opened in 2003. It became the first bridge globally to exceed 1,000 feet (304 meters) in height, marking a significant milestone in bridge engineering.