Current location:world >>
World's biggest bridges revealed after collapse of colossal Baltimore landmark
world4381People have gathered around
IntroductionBridges stand as iconic symbols of progress and unity, connecting cities, countries and cultures.Whi ...
Bridges stand as iconic symbols of progress and unity, connecting cities, countries and cultures.
While some enable brief crossings over water, others captivate with their remarkable spans, stretching across vast distances.
MailOnline Travel has today plotted the longest, and most famous, of them all on a fascinating interactive graphic.
To put their mighty spans into context, around 675 Tower Bridge's could fit inside the world's biggest in China...
1. Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, China
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China is the longest bridge in the world, spanning an impressive 102.4 miles (164.8km), according to the Guinness Book of Records.
That's longer than the distance between New York and Philadelphia or equivalent to half the journey from London to Paris.
The $8.5billion (£6.7billion) crossing is, on average, 100ft (30m) off the ground and took more than 10,000 construction workers to build it before its opening in 2011.
It forms part of the high-speed train route between Beijing and Shanghai and hosts road vehicles in some areas.
China is home to the longest bridge in the world, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, which covers an impressive 102.4 miles (164.8km)
2. Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct, Taiwan
Taiwan is home to the world's second longest bridge, the Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct, which reaches 97.8 miles (157.3km) in length.
Completed in 2007, the bridge serves as part of the Taiwan High Speed Rail network and runs from from Zouying in Kao-hsiung to Baguashan in Changhua county.
Both the bridge and train line 'were built to minimise earthquake damage, as the area is prone to seismic activity', says Britannica.
3. Kita–Yaita Viaduct, Japan
Taking third place on the podium for the world's longest bridges is the Kita–Yaita Viaduct in Japan.
The viaduct crossing stretches 71 miles (114.4km) and is used to accommodate the high-speed Shinkansen rail line which connects Toyko with Aomori.
It opened in 1982 with 23 stations and is managed by the East Japan Railway Company.
US - Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Behold the longest bridge in the U.S, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which covers 24 miles (38km) and carries more than 40,000 vehicles each day
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge in the US and the longest bridge over water in the world.
The road crossing covers 24 miles (38km) and carries more than 40,000 vehicles each day, supported by 9,500 concrete pilings, says National Geographic.
It opened outside New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1956 and links the urban area of the city with smaller communities on the north shore of the lake.
Europe - Vasco da Gama Bridge
In Europe, Vasco da Gama Bridge earns the title as the longest bridge in operation, spanning 10.7 miles (17.2km) over the Tagus River estuary in Lisbon, Portugal.
The cable-stayed bridge, which opened in 1998, carries six road lanes which accommodate more than 50,000 vehicles each day, according to Viator, with a speed limit of 120kmph (75mph).
It was named 'in honour of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of a sea route between Europe and India by explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498', according to Britannica.
The record for the largest bridge was surpassed by the 'controversial Crimean Bridge which was formally opened by Vladimir Putin in 2018', Britannica says. But the crossing, which spans 12 miles (19km), was damaged by an explosion in 2022 and is temporarily closed.
UK - Bromford Viaduct
The UK's longest bridge is technically the Bromford Viaduct which covers a total 3.5-mile (5.6km) - almost 30 times smaller than the record-breaking Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge.
Perhaps not the most glamorous of crossings, it carries road traffic through part of the M6 between Castle Bromwich and Gravelly Hill, near Birmingham, West Midlands.
Built between 1964 and 1972, it took eight years to complete and features the original Spaghetti Junction.
Tower Bridge
Coming in at just 0.15 miles (0.24km) long, London's Tower Bridge would fit along the world's longest bridge almost 683 times
Tower Bridge would fit along the world's longest bridge around 675 times, measuring just 0.15 miles (0.24km) in length.
The iconic London attraction, which crosses the River Thames, provides an opening 250ft (76m) wide and its twin towers rise 200ft (61m) above the water, according to Britannica.
Despite its short distance, it is used by more than 40,000 vehicles every day, according to local authority Southwark Council.
Golden Gate Bridge
Upon its completion in 1937, the Golden Gate was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world, according to Britannica.
The Californian crossing, which links San Francisco with Marin county, is 1.7 miles (2.7km) long and 746ft (227m) high.
'Although other bridges have since surpassed it in size, it remains incomparable in the magnificence of its setting and is said to be the most photographed bridge in the world,' Britannica adds.
'It carries both U.S Route 101 and California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) across the strait and features a pedestrian walkway.'
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge, in New York City, is 1.13 miles (1.83km) in length
Although renowned internationally and frequently featured in movies and television, New York's Brooklyn Bridge spans a mere 1.13 miles (1.83km) in length.
It crosses the East River to connect the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. More than 116,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians and 3,000 cyclists use the bridge each day as of 2018, according to the NYC Department of Transportation.
At the time of its opening in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, according to UNESCO.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Canvas news portal”。http://burma.unhasdecoradas.org/content-65b699930.html
Related articles
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
worldLONDON (AP) — British authorities and the country’s public health service knowingly exposed tens of ...
【world】
Read moreTwo arrested in relation to gun attack on rugby players' team van
worldPhoto: 123rf ...
【world】
Read moreNew York appeals court rejects Donald Trump’s third request to delay Monday's hush money trial
worldNEW YORK —Donald Trump is now 0 for 3 in last-minute attempts to get a New York appeals court to del ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
- Suspect in Karangahape Road rainbow crossing vandalism case arrested
- VOX POPULI: The special charm of Gaudi’s unfinished work: Sagrada Familia
- The week in politics: Targets, truants and MPs' pay pickle
- Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
- ‘Robust' US has helped improve global economic outlook, IMF chief says
Latest articles
Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
110,000 people to evacuate as floods swamp Russia, Kazakhstan
Xi Jinping China President New Year address: Taiwan reunification is an ominous warning message
Third person arrested over Palmerston North man's murder
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Biden, Marcos announce infrastructure plans to counter Chinese projects
LINKS
- Over 800 Chinese repatriated from Myanmar
- Hayao Miyazaki's animated fantasy stays atop Chinese box office
- 9 corpses found adrift in boat off Brazil were likely migrants from Mauritania and Mali, police say
- Event to promote love of reading to be held in Kunming
- Overseas hanfu clubs serve as cultural ambassadors
- Ancient Tibetan astronomy keeps shining
- NetEase Inc renews game partnership with Blizzard
- Russia does not seek military conflict with NATO: Deputy FM
- Over 260 mln passenger trips made on first day of Qingming holiday
- 'Love in Nanning' concert unites singles for a romantic evening