Step aside, Golden Gate and Sydney Harbour. China is poised to launch the planet’s tallest bridge in June, marking another triumph in the nation’s relentless pursuit of engineering marvels.
A Monumental Feat in Guizhou
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, nearing completion in Guizhou, southwest China, will soar 2,051 feet above the river below, surpassing the current record-holder, France’s Millau Viaduct, by 947 feet.
Nestled in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Guizhou, the bridge spans the awe-inspiring Huajiang Grand Canyon, often dubbed the “earth’s fissure.”
China’s ambitious drive to enhance infrastructure, particularly in less-developed regions like Guizhou located 800 miles west of Shenzhen fuels this project.
Transforming Connectivity
Beyond shattering records, the bridge will revolutionize connectivity. Once operational, it will slash travel time across the Huajiang Grand Canyon from two hours to a mere minute, according to state media, easing the journey for vehicles and freight alike.
This steel truss suspension bridge stretches 9,482 feet in length. Construction commenced on January 18, 2022, with completion slated for June 30, 2025, per Guizhou’s local state media reports.
The bridge’s trusses, weighing a colossal 22,000 tons, are comparable to the mass of three Eiffel Towers combined.
“The project is 95% complete and is on track to welcome traffic in the latter half of 2025,” said Zhang Shenglin, chief engineer at Guizhou Highway Group, in an interview with China Daily.
“Upon completion, this monumental structure, bridging the ‘earth’s fissure,’ will stand unrivaled globally in both directions. It will serve as yet another testament to China’s infrastructural prowess,” Zhang remarked.
Remarkably, Guizhou is home to nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges.
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