Bridges are not only pathways connecting two places but also marvels of engineering that showcase the continual breakthroughs of human wisdom. In China, these bridges are not only multifunctional but also achieve world-leading standards in design and construction. Below, we introduce several representative bridges that have set records in length, span, height, and more, leaving a significant mark on the history of world bridges.
1. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: The Longest Sea-Crossing Bridge in the World
In December 2009, construction began on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, connecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province, and the Macao Special Administrative Region. This bridge is the first mega sea-crossing transportation project co-constructed by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao under the "one country, two systems" framework. After six years of preparation and nine years of construction, the 55-kilometer-long bridge was officially opened to traffic at the end of 2018. This mega project combines bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands, and its construction difficulty earned it the title "Mount Everest of Bridges." It was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World." During its construction, scientists and engineers created over 400 new patents and broke seven world records.
2. Beipanjiang Bridge: The Highest Bridge in the World
The Beipanjiang Bridge is located at the border between Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, connecting Liupanshui City in Guizhou and Xuanwei City in Yunnan. It is part of the Hangrui Expressway. Although it is only 1,341 meters long, the bridge deck is 565 meters above the valley floor, equivalent to the height of a 200-story building and close to the main body height of Shanghai Tower, making it the highest bridge in the world. In May 2018, the Beipanjiang Bridge won the Gustav Lindenthal Medal at the 35th International Bridge Conference. The main bridge piers are 269 meters and 247 meters high, and its 720-meter main span ranks second in the world among similar bridges.
3. Dashengguan Yangtze River Bridge: The World's First Six-Track Railway Bridge
Nanjing Dashengguan Yangtze River Bridge is China's first high-speed railway bridge over the Yangtze River. As a crucial and landmark project of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, it is also the cross-river passage for the Shanghai-Hanrong Grade I Railway Trunk Line and Nanjing Metro. Construction began on July 18, 2006, with a total investment of 4.56 billion yuan. The bridge is 9.273 kilometers long, and its main bridge is the world's first six-track railway bridge, carrying double lines for the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, double lines for the Shanghai-Hanrong Railway, and double lines for the Nanjing Metro, with a design speed of 300 kilometers per hour. It holds four world records for being the largest, longest, heaviest, and fastest high-speed railway bridge.
4. Wufengshan Yangtze River Bridge: The World's First High-Speed Railway Suspension Bridge
The Wufengshan Yangtze River Bridge is located in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, connecting the Lianyungang-Huai'an-Yangzhou-Zhenjiang Railway and the southern extension of the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway. It is the third road-rail bridge over the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province. The bridge is 6.409 kilometers long, with a main bridge length of 1.432 kilometers and a combined road-rail section length of 1,444.799 meters. The bridge surpasses Japan's Seto Ohashi Bridge's Minami Bisan-Seto Bridge to become the world's first road-rail suspension bridge in terms of load and design speed.
5. Hutong Yangtze River Bridge: The Largest Span Road-Rail Cable-Stayed Bridge
The Hutong Yangtze River Bridge is 11,072 meters long, with a main span of 1,092 meters, making it the world's first road-rail cable-stayed bridge with a span exceeding one kilometer. The bridge integrates national railway, intercity railway, and expressway functions, with the upper layer carrying a six-lane expressway and the lower layer accommodating four railway lines. As a joint cross-river passage for the Hutong Railway, Tong-Suzhou-Jia Intercity Railway, and Xitong Expressway, the Hutong Yangtze River Bridge sets new world records in structure and functionality.
6. Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge: The Longest Railway Bridge in the World
Located on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is approximately 164.8 kilometers long, making it the longest railway bridge in the world. Its construction significantly enhances the efficiency of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and demonstrates China's robust capabilities in railway bridge construction.
7. Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge is 1,670.4 meters long and is the first road-rail bridge built over the Yangtze River after the founding of the People's Republic of China, holding significant historical importance. It is not only a feat of engineering but also a symbol of national construction achievements.
8. Jiangyin Yangtze River Bridge
The Jiangyin Yangtze River Bridge is 3,071 meters long and is the fourth longest suspension bridge in the world. This bridge serves as an important transportation route over the Yangtze River and its elegant design has become a landmark along the river.
These bridges showcase China's brilliant achievements in bridge construction, with each representing the world's advanced engineering technology of its time. They are not only crucial nodes in the transportation network but also tourist attractions and landmarks, displaying the excellence of Chinese bridge construction.