World height record: China's bridge over 625 meters high opens in June!

World height record: China's bridge over 625 meters high opens in June!

The largest bridge in the world is being built in Guizhou Province, southwest China - the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge. With an impressive height of 625 meters above the Beipan Jiang River, it will not only replace the Beipanjiang Bridge, but also tower over the Eiffel Tower at 324 meters and the Millau Viaduct at 343 meters. The bridge is scheduled to open in June 2025 and is part of an infrastructure initiative aimed at better connecting remote areas, as vol.at reports.

Construction of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge began on January 18, 2022 and is expected to take 3.5 years to complete. According to chief engineer Zhang Shenglin, the entire project is already 95 percent complete. With a total length of 2,890 meters, this steel truss suspension bridge will enable traffic time to be reduced from a full hour to just about a minute across the canyon area. This increase in efficiency is particularly important for regions that have previously been disadvantaged by inadequate infrastructure.

Architectural details of the bridge

The technical superiority of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is reflected not only in its height, but also in its construction. The bridge is designed to consist of prestressed concrete girder bridges distributed over various pylons. The southern pylon measures 205 meters and is equipped with an elevator system for visitors. These elevators will house two glass-enclosed cabins leading to a Stargazing Bar and Café located 145 meters above street level.

The bridge will also offer an attractive destination for tourists. Pedestrian paths are planned that lead to a restaurant and lounges with glass floors. A special highlight will be a bungee jumping platform directly above the river, which is intended to enhance visitors' sense of adventure. The entire structure is supported by a total of 22,000 tons of steel, further highlighting the massive engineering challenge involved in building this bridge, as Wikipedia adds.

Construction projects and challenges

Building large bridges is a challenge not only in China but also in other countries where delays are common. The article by dba-bau.com sheds light on why construction delays are the order of the day in Germany and other European countries and how efficiency in bridge construction could be improved. In China, on the other hand, bridge building is implemented much more efficiently through clear government guidelines and focused planning.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will not only be an engineering masterpiece, but also a tourist attraction that will offer visitors breathtaking views and experiences. The construction has already attracted great international interest and will certainly be one of the most significant civil engineering projects of the decade.