Humans have been building bridges since ancient times. Bridges are used to cross waterways and valleys to shorten distances and reduce travel time. This article looks at some of the longest bridges in the world, the majority of which are in China.
The 10 longest bridges in the world
1. Great Danyang-Kunshan Bridge, China (164,800 meters)
The Great Danyang-Kunshan Bridge, on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line in China, is the longest bridge in the world. It covers a total distance of 164,800 meters, or around 102.4 miles. Ten thousand contractors took four years to complete the construction of the Danyang-Kunshan, which was completed in 2010. The railway started operating in 2011. The same year, this bridge was included in the Guinness Book of World Records.
2. Changhua-Koahsiung Viaduct, Taiwan (157,317 meters)
The Changhua-Koahsiung viaduct is the second largest bridge in the world, covering 157,317 meters. The bridge includes part of Taiwan’s high-speed rail network that runs along the west coast of the island. It opened its doors in January to 2007. By December, 2012 had already transported more than X million passengers.
3. Grand Bridge in Tianjin, China (113,700 meters)
The Tianjin Great Bridge is a long distance of 70.6 located in China. It is used as part of the country’s rail system and crosses a viaduct. It once held the Guinness record for the second longest bridge in the world.
4. Cangde Grand Bridge, China (115,900 meters)
Like the Great Danyang-Kunshan Bridge, the Great Cangde Bridge is also part of the high-speed line between Beijing and Shanghai. The bridge runs for a total of 115,900 meters, or 105 km. It was built with great strength to resist earthquake pressure.
5. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge, China (79,732 meters)
The Weinan Weihe Grand is part of the Zhengzhou – Xi’an high-speed railway. At 79,732 meters, it is the fifth longest bridge in the world. When construction of the bridge was completed in 2008, it held the title of the largest in the world. However, as new and longer bridges have emerged, the Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge has slipped to occupy the position of the fifth longest bridge in the world.
6. Bang Na Expressway, Thailand (54,000 meters)
The Bang Na expressway in Thailand is the sixth longest bridge in the world, with a total length of 54,000 meters. Before 2010, it was the longest bridge in the world. The bridge does not cross a body of water but is rather an elevated part of the national road. At one point, the highway crosses a river. However, for the most part, it is an overpass built over land.
7. Great Bridge in Beijing, China (48,153 meters)
The Beijing Grand Bridge is another listing on this list that is part of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway. It reaches 48,163 meters. The Beijing Grand Bridge has been open to high-speed trains since 2011.
8. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, United States (38.442 Meters)
The Pontchartrain Lake causeway (or simply the causeway) was opened in 1956 in the northern direction of New Orleans, Louisiana. Today, it remains one of the largest bridges in the world. However, it remains the longest bridge in the United States. The bridge crosses Pontchartrain Lake from the suburbs of New Orleans. Before the pavement opened, transportation was only available by ferry.
9. Line 1, Wuhan metro bridge, China (37,788 meters)
The Wuhan Metro Bridge is the whole of Line 1 of the Wuhan City Metro System in central China. It is a total of 37,788 meters long. Constructed was completed in 2004.
10. Mancha Swamp Bridge, United States (36,710 Meters)
The second longest bridge in the United States is also located in Louisiana. The Manchac Marsh Bridge cost taxpayers millions of dollars per million dollars. It opened in 7 and comprises 1979% of the section of Interstate 33 which crosses the state. The bridge is constructed of concrete.
Changing Bridges
Around the world, bridges are an essential type of construction. Humans cannot live without them, and these structures have connected lands and people for thousands of years. With the amazing architectural feats that people have accomplished over time, it will be interesting to see how this list evolves as the bridges lengthen and become even more amazing.
The longest 20 bridges in the world
| Rank | Bridge name | Location | Length (meters) | Length (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danyang-Kunshan Great Bridge | China | 164,800 | 540,700 |
| 2 | Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct | Taiwan | 157,317 | 516.132 |
| 3 | Tianjin Grand Bridge | China | 113,700 | 373,000 |
| 4 | Cangde Grand Bridge | China | 115,900 | 380,200 |
| 5 | Weinan Weihe Grand Pont | China | 79,732 | 261,588 |
| 6 | Bang Na Expressway | Thailand | 54,000 | 177,000 |
| 7 | Great Beijing Bridge | China | 48,153 | 157,982 |
| 8 | Pontchartrain Causeway Lake | United States | 38,442 | 126.122 |
| 9 | Line 1, Wuhan subway bridge | China | 37,788 | 123.976 |
| 10 | Manchac Marsh Bridge | United States | 36,710 | 120,440 |
| 11 | Yangcun Bridge | China | 35,812 | 117,493 |
| 12 | Hangzhou Bay Bridge | China | 35,673 | 117,037 |
| 13 | Runyang birdge | China | 35,660 | 116,990 |
| 14 | Lima metro line 1 | Peru | 33,000 | 108,000 |
| 15 | Donghai bridge | China | 32,500 | 106,600 |
| 16 | Shanghai Maglev Line | China | 29,908 | 98,123 |
| 17 | Dwarka Sector Metro station 8-Rama Krishna Ashram Marg Metro station | India | 29,908 | 97,795 |
| 18 | Atchafalaya basin bridge | United States | 29,290 | 96,100 |
| 19 | Yanshi Bridge | China | 28,543 | 93.645 |
| 20 | Jiaozhou Bay Bridge | China | 26.707 | 87.621 |
