Engineering Feat
The World’s Highest Bridge Opens in China
The Huangjiang Grand Canyon Bridge slashes travel time from two hours to two minutes, setting a new global record in engineering.
China has once again broken its own engineering records. After more than three years of construction, the Huangjiang Grand Canyon Bridge has officially opened to traffic in the mountainous Guizhou Province, standing an astonishing 625 meters above the valley floor.
The new structure surpasses the previous record holder, the Beipanjiang Bridge, also located in Guizhou, which stands at 565 meters.
According to Zhang Yin, head of the provincial transportation department, the opening of the Huangjiang Bridge has transformed regional connectivity. The drive across the canyon, which once took nearly two hours, can now be completed in just two minutes.
“This is a tremendous improvement in local transportation conditions and provides new momentum for the region’s economic and social development,” Zhang said at a press conference.
The inauguration attracted thousands of spectators, including project engineers and local officials. Live drone footage broadcast on state media showed vehicles crossing the massive blue-supported structure as its towers disappeared into the clouds.
China has poured enormous resources into large-scale infrastructure projects for decades as part of its rapid urbanization and economic growth. Guizhou Province alone is home to thousands of bridges, nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest are located there.
The Huangjiang Grand Canyon Bridge also features a main span of 1,420 meters, making it the longest bridge ever built in a mountainous region.