The world’s tallest and largest span bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, has officially opened in China’s Guizhou Province after three years of construction. This groundbreaking infrastructure project, which stretches nearly 10,000 feet across the Huajiang Canyon and hangs 2,050 feet above the Beipan River, has significantly reduced travel time for locals and tourists from a two-hour mountain drive to just two minutes.
The bridge’s completion marks a major achievement in civil engineering, particularly given its unprecedented height and length. The Guizhou Highway Engineering Group Company’s chief engineer, Zhang Shenglin, described the bridge as spanning ‘earth’s crack,’ emphasizing its engineering challenge and aesthetic appeal. He noted that the structure is a testament to China’s capability to execute complex infrastructure projects, which the company claims will also boost Guizhou’s status as a world-class tourist destination.
According to experts, projects of this scale typically take between five to 10 years to complete, as highlighted by Mamdouh El-Badry, a civil engineering professor at the University of Calgary. El-Badry explained that the timeline includes everything from groundbreaking to completion, taking into account environmental, political, and logistical considerations.
The bridge’s significance is further underscored by its size and location. While the previous record holder, the Millau Viaduct in France, stretches 8,070 feet long and sits nearly 1,000 feet above the Tarn River, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge surpasses it in both height and span. The Canakkale Bridge in Turkey, the longest suspension bridge over a mile, represents another significant achievement in global bridge engineering.
Despite the bridge’s ambitious construction and its potential impact on regional tourism, some critics have raised concerns about its implications. These include warnings about potential mafia activities and the risks associated with earthquakes, as highlighted in recent reports. However, the bridge’s success in reducing travel time is a key focus, demonstrating its role in improving connectivity and economic development in Guizhou.