Since antiquity, people have a need to cross ravines, abysses and explore new territories. But the main obstacle was water - it seemed impossible to overcome deep rivers, lakes, oceans. Then a man came up with a bridge. Recently, the pace of life has accelerated, so you need to move from place to place also quickly.
Development does not stand still: architects are creating increasingly beautiful, light, long and high bridges to help connect the most diverse points on the map, including even islands.
China is a rapidly developing country with a high pace of life and a large territory.
Transport links play a large role in the development of the country's economy. Therefore, the authorities are concerned that the movement between the most important cities takes place as quickly and safely as possible. Perhaps this is the reason that the longest bridges in the world are located in China.
10. Zhunyansky bridge | 35.66 km
The last in the proposed top in length construction connects the cities of Zhenjiang (formerly Rongzhou) and Yangzhou. Hence the name Junian.
The complex consists of two structures - a suspension bridge in the south and a cable-stayed bridge in the north. The implementation of the engineering solution took 5.8 billion yuan, that is, approximately $ 700 million. Construction took 5 years, after this time, in 2005, the crossing opened.
The suspension bridge ranked fourth in length in China, and also became part of the Beijing-Shanghai expressway.
9. Bridge over the Hangzhou Bay | 35.673 km
This cable-stayed bridge is considered the third longest across bodies of water. Its ends are located in the cities of Jiaxing and Ningbo. Initially, the design was to connect Ningbo with Shanghai, but in the latter they protested, and the bridge design was changed.
Building bridge over the bay of Hangzhou started in 2003. It was planned to complete the construction only by 2010, but in the end the bridge was opened for traffic three years earlier.
At that time, the construction was worth 11.8 billion yuan, i.e. 1.4 billion dollars. Private enterprises and banks of China have invested such money.
According to the creators of the bridge, it is designed for 100 years of operation.
Previously, people had to cover a distance of about 400 km, but thanks to the new crossing, it’s enough to drive 240, while the speed of 100 kilometers per hour is assumed on the road.
Thus, travel time was reduced from five hours to three. In addition, in the middle of the bridge there is a small island on which drivers can eat and relax.
8. Yanchun Viaduct | 35,812 km
The Yangchun railway crossing is part of the high-speed railway between the cities of Beijing and Tianjin.
Yanchun Viaduct opened in 2007, and since then the average speed of trains has been established - 350 kilometers per hour.
7. Flyover of the First line of the Wuhan subway | 37,788 km
The first line of the Wuhan subway was opened in 2004, it includes 32 stations. As the name suggests, the line is located in Wuhan. It does not go beyond the Hankou area and does not pass through rivers. After its creation, Wuhan became the fifth city where the metro was opened.
Flyover of the First line of the Wuhan subway - The longest metro viaduct in the world. Many people mistakenly confuse it with the light rail line, since it is aboveground.
6. Beijing Viaduct | 48.153 km
Beijing viaduct - This intricate structure is part of the new Beijing-Shanghai railway track.
The grand opening of the facility took place in 2011, a year after the completion of construction.
The viaduct is 48 km long and the span is 44 meters. The townspeople needed a viaduct, because Beijing and Shanghai are large and important cities, separated by water, and getting from one to another in a different way, except through a viaduct, is long and difficult.
5. Hong Kong Bridge - Zhuhai - Macau | 55 km
Young car Bridge Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau - record holder, he is the longest sea bridge in the world. The construction runs across the very active Pearl River, and it’s clear from the name which cities it connects.
This is a complex engineering complex, which consists of a number of bridges, artificial islands and underwater tunnels. And only the latter occupy about 6-7 km.
Construction began in 2009 and ended only in 2017. The total project cost is $ 10.6 billion.
The sad fact: The construction was accompanied by numerous injuries and deaths of workers.
4. The bridge over Wei | 79.732 km
Design bridge over wei is an element of the Zhengzhou railway track and stretches from the city of Zhengzhou to Xian. The object got its name in honor of the Wei River, which crosses twice. (Wei flows in eastern China).
This building is considered a world architectural landmark.
The bridge was ready for operation back in 2008, however, the opening took place only two years later, in 2010. The Chinese government decided to wait and open the bridge along with the new railway line.
When the structure was first erected, it was considered the longest in the world, but later new bridges broke its record. However, they owe their existence to the invaluable experience that the construction of a bridge over Wei gave.
Traveling along it promises to be fascinating, as the railway tracks pass through beautiful rivers and lakes, tourists will definitely like it.
3. Changdean Viaduct | 105.81 km
The medalist, like some past bridges, is part of the already mentioned railway line connecting Beijing and Shanghai.
Changdean Viaduct It is located in a seismically dangerous area, therefore it is made of high strength materials. Tourists will not regret that they drove through this bridge.
During the trip, nothing threatens the lives of people, but they can enjoy the beautiful view from the window.
4. Tianjin Viaduct | 113.7 km
The second place on the list is also considered an element of the Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway.
The engineering facility is located between Langfang County and Qingxian County. The construction began in 2008, it lasted two years. In 2011, the bridge was opened.
Tianjin Viaduct stretches in an unusual place - five large sources of the Hai-he River converge in it.
The crossing is very popular with tourists, as it originates not far from the Beijing station.
1. Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct | 164.8 km
Two years ago, the longest bridge in the world opened in China - Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct. The construction of the champion was expensive - it took about 10 million dollars and more than 450 thousand tons of metal.
The bridge is part of the high-speed railway between the largest cities in China - Beijing and Shanghai. The design itself connects Shanghai and Nanjing.
The workers had to overcome many difficulties, including the difficult terrain in this area - mountains, rivers, lakes, canals.
Most of the structure is above the ground, and 9 kilometers stretch over the water surface of the Yangtze River and Lake Yangcheng.
Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct consists of several types of structures - it includes cable-stayed joints, and arch, as well as truss and frame.
Despite the difficulties, the bridge was erected as soon as possible - in just two years, and immediately appeared in the Guinness Book of Records.