China's Sky-High Wonder: World’s Tallest Bridge Nears Opening

TDT | Manama

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China is preparing to unveil another monumental engineering feat — the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge — soon to become the tallest bridge in the world, standing an astonishing 625 metres (2,051 feet) above the Beipan River in Guizhou province.

Once open, the bridge will slash a previously hour-long drive through the rugged canyon to just a few minutes. With its completion, China not only reaffirms its dominance in extreme-height bridge construction but also boosts regional connectivity in one of the country's most mountainous regions.

Record-Breaking Marvel

The Huajiang bridge surpasses France’s Millau Viaduct by 947 feet and even towers 275 feet above New York’s One World Trade Center, America’s tallest skyscraper. Built over three years at a cost of $283 million, the bridge is part of the Liuzhi–Anlong Expressway and stretches across the dramatic “earth crack” landscape of the Huajiang Grand Canyon.

Its massive steel trusses, weighing around 22,000 metric tonnes — about three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower — highlight the immense scale and complexity of the project.

Fast Facts:

• Height: 625 metres (2,051 feet) above river level

• Total length: 2,890 metres (9,482 feet)

• Main span: 1,420 metres

• Builder: Guizhou Bridge Construction Group

• Start date: January 18, 2022

• Final steel segment installed: January 2025

Beyond a Bridge: Tourist Landmark in the Making

Beyond its transportation purpose, the bridge is being positioned as a major tourist draw. Among its unique features:

• A glass elevator to the top of one of the towers, offering sweeping views

• A café and stargazing bar more than 600 feet above the road

• A suspended glass walkway for thrill-seekers

• One of the world’s highest bungee jump points at approximately 2,020 feet

Integrated smart sensors throughout the bridge continuously monitor structural integrity, tracking data on vibrations, wind pressure, and temperature to ensure long-term safety.

A Boost for Remote Communities

Guizhou province is already home to nearly half of the world’s top 100 tallest bridges. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge cements its reputation as a global bridge-building hub while offering real-world benefits: better access to healthcare, education, and economic development in remote villages.

As the finishing touches are being applied, anticipation grows for the official opening. This awe-inspiring structure not only redefines what’s possible in bridge engineering — it reimagines what connectivity can look like in the 21st century.

And with it, China once again proves it has no fear of heights when reaching for the future.