THE world’s tallest bridge has opened to the public — cutting journeys from a staggering two hours to just two minutes.
China‘s Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province is a whopping nine times higher than the Golden Gate Bridge and twice the height of the Eiffel Tower.
6
6
6
It is almost as tall as the 632-metre, 128-story Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building.
As well as breaking world-records, the bridge has increases connectivity in the region.
Locals were previously forced to spend almost two hours navigating the vast canyon.
But now, travel time is reduced to just two minutes.
The mighty structure took three years to build, requiring advanced technologies, such as satellite navigation and drones.
Soaring 2,050 feet over the Beipan River, travelling over the world’s tallest bridge will not be for the fainthearted.
The gargantuan structure features massive steel reinforcements weighing 215 metric tons.
These will help support the heavy loads going across the 0.9 mile-long structure.
Officials also believe the crossing will stimulate economic development in Guizhou, one of China’s lesser developed provinces.
Chen Jianlei, deputy director of Guizhou Transport Department told China Daily: “The completion of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will strengthen economic ties between [neighbouring cities] Guiyang, Anshun and Qianxinan, fostering regional economic integration.”
The chief engineer of the record-breaking bridge has said that seeing his project come to life gives him “a profound sense of achievement and pride.”
The central element of the bridge, its primary load-bearing part, is made up of 93 segments weighing a collective 22,000 tons – or three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
Work on the £227 million project began in 2022.
Until it opens, the title of tallest bridge in the world will remain with the Beipanjiang Bridge in Guizhou province around 200 miles north of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge.
The bridge with four lanes of traffic was finished in 2016 and stands 1788 feet over the Beipan River.
Meanwhile, construction has started once again on the world’s tallest skyscraper that was left half-built seven years ago.
The enormous tower would stand 3,280ft high when completed.
The Jeddah Tower has long been touted as the next Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building in Dubai, at 2,723ft.
Following the unveiling of incredible plans for one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, which will include the highest nightclub and observation deck on the planet.
The Burj Azizi also set for Dubai will be a staggering 2,379ft tall.
Azizi Developments say construction of the £1.15 billion tower – twice the size of The Shard – has already begun and is expected to be completed in 2028.
6
6
6