The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Southwest China’s Guizhou province is set to open to traffic on September 28, marking the end of over three years of construction, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
The massive structure stretches 2,890 meters in length, with a main span of 1,420 meters, and towers 625 meters above the river below. This remarkable engineering feat officially makes it the highest bridge in the world. In addition, it will also claim the title of the largest-span bridge ever constructed in a mountainous region, according to the provincial government.
Zhang Yin, head of the provincial transport department, highlighted that the project was designed and built with several innovative technologies to withstand wind and high-altitude challenges. He noted that the bridge has already secured 21 patents for its unique engineering solutions.
Some of the technological advancements pioneered during its construction have been added to China’s national bridge construction standards, setting new benchmarks for the future.
Guizhou has rapidly emerged as a global hub for bridge engineering over the past two decades, becoming internationally recognized for pushing the boundaries of modern construction.
The province is now home to over 32,000 bridges either completed or under development. Among these are three of the world’s tallest bridges, reinforcing Guizhou’s reputation as a leader in this field.
Experts believe that the completion of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge not only showcases China’s growing expertise in mega infrastructure projects but also provides a vital transport link across the rugged mountainous terrain of the province.
By connecting previously isolated areas, the bridge is expected to boost local economic growth, improve accessibility, and enhance tourism in the region.
With nearly half of the world’s 100 highest bridges located in Guizhou, the opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge further cements the province’s standing as the epicenter of global bridge engineering.
