Some of the best structures that man has ever created are bridges. All of them have been constructed over the centuries with the purpose of bridging large distances, linking otherwise isolated areas with roads. Bridges are of different types, ranging from large overpass structures also referred to as viaducts to small structures whose floor is underwater. The longer bridges effectively illustrate engineering accomplishment in technology, design, and material. In this article, we look at the Top 10 longest bridges in the world and how long they are, where they are and any other distinguishing features they may possess.
Table of Contents
10 Longest Bridges in the World
1. Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge
Length: 164.8 kilometres (102.4 miles)
Location: From Danyang to Kunshan Jiangsu Province China
Completed: 2010
Type: Viaduct
Notable Facts:
This bridge is also part of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway.
It also boasts of the world’s longest bridge.
The structure passes through such terrains such as over rivers, lakes and even mountainous region.
2. Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct
Length: 157.3 kilometers (97.8 miles)
Location: Changhua to Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Completed: 2007
Type: Elevated viaduct
Notable Facts:
High-speed rail is a form of rail transport that is formatted as part of the Taiwan high-speed rail system.
The viaduct crosses mainly flat lands and is one of the most heavily used railways in Taiwan.
3. Tianjin Grand Bridge
Length: 113.7 kilometres (70.7 miles)
Location: Tianjin to Qingxian, China
Completed: 2010
Type: Viaduct
Notable Facts:
This bridge is used to cross the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway.
Some construction railway components are elevated while some are at ground level with different constructions methods.
4. Cangde Grand Bridge
Length: 105.8 kilometres (65.8 miles)
Location: Cangzhou to Dandong, China
Completed: 2013
Type: Viaduct
Notable Facts:
The bridge is another large part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway Line project system.
It crosses several areas of different geography.
5. Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link
Length: 102.4 kilometers (63.6 miles)
Location: Guangzhou to Hong Kong, China
Completed: 2018
Type: In this image, model has used the combination of Viaduct, tunnel and a bridge.
Notable Facts:
An essential component of the high-speed rail link between Guangdong province and Hong Kong.
It runs across a combination of urban areas and comprises parts that actually pass through water.
6. Beijing-Shanghai High speed railway
Length: 85 kilometers (52.8 miles)
Location: Beijing to Shanghai, China
Completed: 2011
Type: Viaduct
Notable Facts:
This railway system is one of the busiest in the whole world.
It consists of the Danyang –Kunshan Grand Bridge and Tianjin Grand Bridge as part of it.
7. Shenzhen–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge
Length: 55 kilometers (34.2 miles)
Location: Shenzhen to Zhuhai to Macau China
Completed: 2018
Type: Sea bridge and sea tunnel
Notable Facts:
It spans three cities in the Pearl River Delta Territory.
It features both bridge and tunnel parts although the tunnel part of the project lies under the water.
8. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Length: 38.4 kilometers (23.9 miles)
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Completed: 1956
Type: Causeway
Notable Facts:
It stands record for being the longest bridge over water as it crosses the Lake Pontchartrain. It spans Metairie a city in New Orleans and the northern shore of the lake.st bridge over water.
It connects Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans, to the north shore of the lake.
What are obvious is that it has featured multiple artificial islands for the tunnels.
9. Hangzhou Bay Bridge
Length: 35.6 kilometers (22.1 miles)
Location: Hi way crossing Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang Province of China
Completed: 2008
Type: Sea bridge
Notable Facts:
One of the largest transoceanic air bridges in the entire globe.
However, today the distance between Jiaxing and Ningbo – the two cities – can be covered within a very limited time.
10. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Length: 23 kilometers (14.2 miles)
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Completed: 1964
Type: Bridge and tunnel combination
Notable Facts:
This edifice that is a bridge as well as a tunnel links over the Chesapeake Bay.
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Comparison chart
| Rank | Bridge Name | Length (km) | Location | Completion year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge | 164.8 | Jiangsu, China | 2010 |
| 2 | Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct | 157.3 | Taiwan | 2017 |
| 3 | Tianjin Grand Bridge | 113.7 | Tianjin to Qingxian, China | 2010 |
| 4 | Cangde Grand Bridge | 105.8 | Cangzhou to Dandong, China | 2013 |
| 5 | Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link | 102.4 | Guangzhou to Hong Kong, China | 2018 |
| 6 | Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway | 85 | Beijing to Shanghai, China | 2011 |
| 7 | Shenzhen–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge | 55 | Shenzhen to Zhuhai to Macau, China | 2018 |
| 8 | Lake Pontchartrain Causeway | 38.4 | New Orleans, USA | 1956 |
| 9 | Hangzhou Bay Bridge | 35.6 | Hangzhou Bay, China | 2008 |
| 10 | Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel | 23 | Virginia Beach, USA | 1964 |
Conclusion
Long bridges in the world are not only means of transportation but tantamount to great engineering feelings. These structures run from one huge landscape to the next, as well as from one culture to another, from China’s extensive rail networks to such bridges as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Many of the longest bridges are in China, but the wide array of type bridges (viaducts, sea bridges, causeways) are testament to geographical overcoming and ingenuity. The way people move from one side of the globe to the other are still being shaped by these bridges.
FAQs
What is the longest bridge in the world?
The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge in China, a 102.4 mile (164.8 kilometers), is the world’s longest bridge..
How long is the longest sea bridge?
The Shenzhen–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge in China uses both bridge and tunnel sections, making this 55 kilometers (34.2 mile) length the longest sea bridge in the world..
What is the longest bridge over water?
The longest bridge over water title goes to the USA’s 38.4 kilometers (23.9 miles) long Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
Which bridge has the most innovative design?
Combining bridge, tunnel, high speed rail system, the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link is tremendously innovative.
What’s the significance of the Tianjin Grand Bridge?
One of the world’s longest, it is a key piece of China’s high-speed rail network connecting Beijing and Shanghai, and is 113.7 kilometers (70.7 miles) long.