List of Top 10 Longest Bridges in the World
Want to know the longest bridges in the world? This article will highlight them as of 2024, focusing on architectural marvels that connect remote areas and symbolize technological advancement.
Bridges are extraordinary engineering feats that connect remote areas, break through natural barriers, and play a key role in transportation systems. Some of the world’s longest bridges are a testament to human ingenuity and technological advancement, embodying evolution and connectivity. In 2024, these ten bridges will still be recognized globally for their extraordinary lengths and unique structural designs.
Before we explore the longest bridges in the world, let’s take a look at some of the oldest bridges. The Arcadiko Bridge is one of the oldest known bridges and is considered to be the first bridge in human history. It is an arch bridge made of stone and is located in the Peloponnese region of Greece.
The Arcadiko Bridge was originally part of a military road that connected the two cities of Tiryns and Epidaurus. It was part of a large Greek road network. Its elaborate design and the direction of the road indicate that it was designed for chariots. Surprisingly, even after three thousand years, the locals still use this bridge.
1. Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge
- Architect/Designer: China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)
- Completion Year: 2010
- Length: 164.8 km
- Location: Between Shanghai and Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
Located between Shanghai and Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is the longest in the world, with a straight-line length of 164.8 km.
The bridge, which opened to traffic in June 2011 at a cost of about US$8.5 billion, is a landmark of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Its average altitude is 100 meters. The bridge was designed and built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd.
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is mainly divided into two sections: the 52.4 km long Danyang section and the 112.4 km long Kunshan section. The bridge also spans 150 rivers with a depth of more than 20 meters, rice-growing areas, lakes, mountainous areas, and many other important cities and towns.
The bridge spans canals and rivers of varying sizes. It was built using a combination of cable-stayed and structural beam types, with precast sections on top.
2. Changhua-Kaohsiung Bridge
- Architect/Designer: Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) in collaboration with Toshiba, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- Completion Date: 2007
- Length: 157.3 km
- Location: Taiwan
The Changhua-Kaohsiung Bridge, completed in 2007, is part of the Taiwan High Speed Rail network and runs from Zuoying, Kaohsiung County, to Bagushan, Changhua County. It has a total length of 157.3 km.
The Changhua-Kaohsiung Bridge is part of the Taiwan High Speed Rail network and was designed by a team led by the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) in collaboration with global engineering companies such as Toshiba, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Given the region’s frequent earthquakes, both the bridge and the train line were designed to minimize earthquake damage.
The bridge has no owner and was not designed by a single company. This magnificent construction is the result of the joint efforts of Japanese and Taiwanese engineers and their companies. The bridge consists mainly of precast concrete segments that were prepared in a factory and then assembled. This method allowed the construction to be completed faster without compromising on quality and accuracy.
3. Tianjin Bridge
- Architect/Designer: China Railway Construction Corporation Limited
- Year of Completion: 2011
- Length: 113.7 km
- Location: Between Langfang and Qingxian, China
The Tianjin Bridge is a railway bridge on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, with a total length of 113.7 km, located between Langfang and Qingxian. It was completed in 2011 and is currently the third longest bridge in the world. The Tianjin Bridge in China was designed in collaboration with China Railway Group Limited and some of its subsidiaries. To ensure that the bridge would become one of the longest bridges in the world, many Chinese engineers, architects, and construction companies worked together on its construction.
Like other long-span bridges in China, the Tianjin Bridge was designed using precast concrete segments. In addition, the bridge has design features that enhance its earthquake resistance, including:
The Tianjin Grand Canal Bridge in China was designed and built by China Railway Construction Corporation and some of its subsidiaries. A large number of Chinese engineers, architects, and construction companies were involved in the project to ensure that it would become one of the longest bridges in the world.
Like other long bridges in China, the Tianjin Grand Bridge was designed with precast concrete segments. The bridge also uses several design features to improve its earthquake resistance, such as flexible joints and materials and construction techniques that help absorb and dissipate earthquake energy.
4. Condit Bridge
- Architect/Designer: China Railway Construction Corporation (CREC)
- Year of Completion: 2010
- Length: 105.81 km
- Location: Section of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, China
The Condit Bridge is the fourth-longest bridge in the world. The line was completed in 2010 and is an important part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. It is 105.81 km long and supported by 3,092 columns.
The Condit Bridge was designed and constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation and its subsidiaries, in collaboration with a large number of Chinese engineers, architects, and civil engineering experts. The goal was to build a bridge that could meet the needs of a high-speed rail network.
The bridge was built using precast concrete segments. The components were manufactured off-site under controlled conditions and then transported to the site for assembly.
5. Weinan Weihe Bridge
- Architect/Designer: China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CREC)
- Completion Year: 2008
- Length: 79,732 km
- Location: China
The Weinan to Weihe Bridge is approximately 79.732 km long and was opened to traffic in 2008. China Railway Construction Corporation Limited developed it in conjunction with other engineering and construction companies.
The bridge material is precast concrete segments that are manufactured at another location and then assembled. It can also adapt to different soil types and terrain instabilities that may occur in the area. Its most important goal is to ensure stability and prevent settlement and displacement.
6. Bang Na Expressway
- Architect/Designer: Louis Berger
- Completion Year: 2000
- Length: 54 km
- Location: Thailand
The Bang Na Expressway in Thailand is the sixth longest bridge in the world. It is about 54 km long. This railway bridge also crosses a river in addition to covering a large area of land. It was built by Louis Berger in 1994 and completed in 2000. Even though it was completed in 2000, it remained the longest bridge in the world until 2004.
The reinforced concrete used in the construction of the expressway ensures its strength and durability, allowing it to withstand heavy traffic. In terms of traffic volume, it is designed to handle a large number of vehicles and trucks while using an efficient traffic management system to reduce traffic congestion.
7. Beijing Bridge
- Architect/Designer: China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CREC)
- Year of Completion: 2010
- Length: 48.2 km
- Location: Section of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, China
Beijing Bridge is located in China and is part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The line is approximately 48.2 km long and was designed and built by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CREC) and its affiliated group companies.
8. Metro Manila Skyway System
- Architect/Designer: C.B. Yang Building Development Corporation
- Year of Completion: In phases, from 2002 to 2015
- Length: 32 km
- Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
The Metro Manila Skyway System is a major elevated expressway in the Philippines designed to improve traffic flow. Construction began in phases, with the first phase completed in 2002 and subsequent phases completed between 2005 and 2015.
The Metro Manila Skyway System is approximately 32 kilometers long and consists of several sections connecting important locations in Metro Manila. It was designed by engineering firm C.P. Yang Construction and Development Corporation in collaboration with other local and international engineering consultants.
Reinforced concrete is the material used in the construction of the Skyway System, which gives the highway system strength and durability, allowing it to withstand heavy traffic and inclement weather.
The Metro Manila Skyway System in the Philippines is a major elevated expressway designed to improve traffic flow in Metro Manila. Construction was carried out in phases, with the first phase completed in 2002. Subsequent phases were completed between 2005 and 2015.
The Metro Manila Skyway system is approximately 32 kilometers long and consists of several sections connecting important locations in Metro Manila. It was designed by engineering firm C.P. Yang Building and Development Corp. in collaboration with other local and international engineering consultants.
The Skyway System is constructed using reinforced concrete, which gives it strength and durability to withstand heavy traffic and environmental impacts. It is a toll road equipped with an electronic payment system to facilitate vehicle movement and reduce waiting time at toll booths.
9. Lake Pontchartrain Bridge
- Architect/Designer: Hoffman & Hennon; Walter J. Keller Co.
- Completion Year: North Bridge 1956, South Bridge 1969
- Length: 38.4 km (North), 38.7 km (South)
- Location: Louisiana, United States
This road connects the cities of Mandeville and Metairie in Louisiana, United States. Unlike other places in the world, it is the only bridge outside of Asia.
The two bridges run parallel and connect the two sides of Lake Pontchartrain. The bridge was completed in 1956 and is 38,400 meters long, while its other bridge was completed in 1969 and is 15 meters long, facilitating southbound traffic to Metairie. The northern section of the bridge has a movable section to accommodate large ships.
The Pontchartrain Bridge was Hoffman and Hennon’s brainchild and was built by Walter Keller Co. The project resulted from the joint efforts of engineers and related professionals who designed and built both bridges.
The northern section of the bridge adopts a rotating lifting structure to allow large ships to pass through. This design feature fully considers marine traffic and is an important aspect of facilitating navigation.
10. Wuhan Metro Bridge
- Architect/Designer: China Railway Group, China Construction
- Completion Year: 2004
- Length: 37,788 km
- Location: Wuhan, China
The Wuhan Metro Bridge is the tenth-longest in the world and is located in Wuhan, China. The bridge is 37,788 meters long and constitutes the entire first line of the city’s subway network, making it the longest continuous bridge in the world. The completion of the Wuhan Metro Bridge in 2004 made Wuhan the fifth city in China to have an underground railway system.
China Railway Group and China State Construction Engineering Corporation jointly designed the Wuhan Metro Bridge. The project supports the Wuhan Metro Line 1, which was originally planned to carry heavy-load trains, thereby meeting the needs of public transportation.
