When we talk about civil engineering, bridges are a clear representation of humanity’s determination to overcome natural barriers. Today’s longest bridges are extraordinary feats of engineering that span incredible distances across water, different landscapes, and challenging terrains. 

These majestic structures not only connect places but also demonstrate remarkable technological innovation for easier commute. 

So, let’s take a look at the world’s ten longest bridges and all their unique facts.

10. Runyang Yangtze River Bridge, China

The Runyang Yangtze River Bridge complex spans 35.6 kilometers as part of the Beijing–Shanghai Expressway, connecting Zhenjiang and Yangzhou across the mighty Yangtze River. This complex consists of two major bridges: a southern cable-stayed bridge and a northern suspension bridge, each with main spans of 1,490 meters.

When it opened in 2005, it represented one of China’s most ambitious bridge projects, incorporating advanced wind- and seismic-resistant technologies. The bridge forms part of a larger 35-kilometer expressway system featuring multiple interchanges and overpasses.

The Runyang Bridge significantly improved transportation efficiency in eastern China and demonstrated the country’s growing expertise in complex infrastructure projects, setting the stage for even more ambitious bridges that would follow.

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9. Hangzhou Bay Bridge, China

The Hangzhou Bay Bridge connects Jiaxing and Ningbo across Hangzhou Bay, reducing travel distance between Shanghai and Ningbo by approximately 100 kilometers. This trans-oceanic bridge took four years to construct before officially opening in June 2008.

Engineers faced extreme challenges including powerful tidal forces, a soft seabed, and high risk of saltwater corrosion. The result is a hybrid structure that combines cable-stayed and viaduct segments to accommodate six lanes of traffic in both directions.

A distinctive feature is its mid-bridge service center called “Land Between the Sea and Sky,” which offers viewing platforms, restaurants, and shops where travelers can rest while enjoying panoramic views of Hangzhou Bay. The bridge has played a crucial role in facilitating regional economic integration throughout the Yangtze River Delta.

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8. Manchac Swamp Bridge, United States

The Manchac Swamp Bridge represents the United States’ entry on this list of engineering marvels. Carrying Interstate 55 and U.S. Route 51 over Louisiana’s treacherous Manchac Swamp, this bridge was an engineering challenge due to the extremely soft swamp soil.

Construction crews drove nearly 10,000 precast concrete piles deep into the swamp floor—some extending over 250 feet—to provide a stable foundation. The bridge features dual spans, one for each direction of traffic, and cost approximately $7 million per mile to construct.

Often referred to by locals as the “world’s longest toll-free bridge,” the Manchac Swamp Bridge remains one of North America’s most impressive infrastructure projects more than four decades after its completion.

7. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge (Qingdao Haiwan Bridge), China

The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge features a distinctive T-shaped design with main entry and exit points in Huangdao and Licang Districts of Qingdao. This remarkable structure required 450,000 tons of steel and 2.3 million cubic meters of concrete in its construction, with support from 5,238 concrete piles driven deep into the seabed.

Built to withstand severe earthquakes, typhoons, and potential ship collisions, the bridge demonstrates extraordinary engineering foresight. It reduces the road distance between Licang and Huangdao Districts by 30 kilometers, cutting travel time by 20 to 30 minutes—a significant improvement for daily commuters and commercial traffic.

Construction took approximately four years and cost an estimated ¥10 billion (approximately US$1.5 billion). A unique feature is its mid-bridge service center, which includes gas stations, restaurants, and rest areas for travelers.

6. Beijing Grand Bridge, China

The Beijing Grand Bridge extends for over 48 kilometers as part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Despite being shorter than the top five entries on this list, this bridge represents a crucial link in China’s transportation network, facilitating high-speed rail travel directly from the nation’s capital.

The bridge’s construction faced unique challenges due to its proximity to densely populated urban areas. Engineers needed to balance efficient transportation with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure and communities. Since its opening, the Beijing Grand Bridge has significantly reduced travel times between major Chinese cities, helping to alleviate pressure on traditional transportation networks.

5. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge, China

When completed in 2010, the Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge briefly held the record for the world’s longest bridge. At nearly 80 kilometers in length, this bridge carries the Zhengzhou–Xi’an High-Speed Railway across challenging terrain in Shaanxi Province.

The bridge crosses the Wei River, a tributary of the Yellow River, multiple times along its path. Its construction required extensive planning to navigate the region’s complex water systems while maintaining structural integrity. The bridge stands as a testament to China’s rapid infrastructure development in the early 21st century and has contributed significantly to regional economic growth by connecting previously isolated areas.

4. Cangde Grand Bridge, China

The Cangde Grand Bridge spans nearly 106 kilometers across Hebei Province as part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Supported by over 3,000 piers, this colossal structure was constructed using pre-stressed concrete box girders that provide both strength and durability.

Like many of China’s mega-bridges, the Cangde Grand Bridge was designed to withstand significant seismic activity, making it not only one of the longest bridges in the world but also one of the most resilient. The bridge exemplifies China’s commitment to developing robust infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters while providing efficient transportation options for its massive population.

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3. Tianjin Grand Bridge, China

The Tianjin Grand Bridge is another crucial component of China’s Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway network. At nearly 114 kilometers long, this elevated viaduct was designed to avoid numerous individual structures for crossing roads and railways, resulting in a more efficient construction process and reduced land usage compared to traditional railway embankments.

The bridge utilizes 32-meter-long box girders, each weighing an impressive 860 tons. These massive components were created in two dedicated workplaces along the bridge path and placed on piers by specialized cranes. This methodical approach allowed for faster construction without sacrificing structural integrity.

Since its opening in 2011, the Tianjin Grand Bridge has played a vital role in China’s transportation infrastructure, facilitating rapid movement between two of the country’s most important economic centers.

2. Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct, Taiwan

The second-longest bridge in the world is the Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct in Taiwan. Constructed as part of the Taiwan High-Speed Rail network, this impressive structure spans nearly 98 miles along Taiwan’s western coast. What makes this bridge particularly remarkable is its earthquake-resistant design—a critical feature in Taiwan’s seismically active environment.

Engineers incorporated innovative technologies that allow trains to stop safely during seismic events. Bridges built over known fault lines were specially designed to survive fault movements without catastrophic damage. These safety measures have proven successful, as by December 2012, over 200 million passengers had safely traveled across this viaduct.

The bridge has transformed transportation in Taiwan, reducing travel time between major cities and stimulating economic development in previously less accessible regions of the country.

1. Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge, China

The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge holds the distinction of being the longest bridge in the world according to Guinness World Records. Part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, this mammoth structure stretches over 164 kilometers across eastern China. Designed and built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the bridge’s construction began around 2006 and was completed in 2010 at a cost of approximately $8.5 billion.

This engineering marvel is primarily a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) viaduct with an average width of 79 meters and height of 30 meters. It comprises approximately 2,000 spans and traverses diverse terrains including rice paddies, canals, rivers, and lakes. Perhaps its most impressive section is the 9-kilometer stretch across Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou, where the bridge extends over open water.

The bridge was designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including typhoons, and has significantly improved transportation efficiency in the region, allowing high-speed trains to travel at speeds up to 350 km/h.

Conclusion

These remarkable bridges represent the epitome of human engineering achievement, connecting communities across vast distances and challenging terrains. 

While China dominates this list, each bridge tells a unique story of overcoming specific geographic and engineering challenges. As transportation needs  and means continue to evolve, these structures stand as monuments to human ingenuity and determination to connect our world in ever more efficient ways.