Bridges are amazing structures that get people from one place to another and make travel, contact, and trade easier. They are also examples of how clever, creative, and skilled engineers people can be.
Around the world, there are some bridges that are so long that they go over large bodies of water, mountains, valleys, and towns. Based on data from several sources, here is a list of the ten world’s longest bridges as of 2023:
Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge
- 164.8 km (102.4 mi) long.
- Country: China
- High-speed train for traffic
In any way you look at it, the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge is the largest bridge in the world. It goes across the Yangtze River Delta and is part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. When it was finished in 2010, this bridge was the longest bridge of any kind in the world. It held that record until 2011. There are a lot of viaducts that hold up the railroad tracks, and some of them are higher than the ground or the water.
Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct
- 157.3 km long (97.8 mi)
- Taiwan is the place
- High-speed train for traffic
The longest bridge in Taiwan and the second longest bridge in the world is the Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct. Along the western side of the island, it is part of the Taiwan High-Speed Rail. It was finished in 2004 and is meant to go 300 km/h (186 mph). Like the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, it is made up of a number of viaducts that hold up the railroad tracks and have elevated parts that cross both land and water.
- Kita–Yaita Viaduct
- 114.4 km (71.1 mi) long.
- Japan is where
High-speed train for traffic
The Kita–Yaita Viaduct is the longest bridge in Japan and the third longest bridge in the world. As a part of the Tohoku Shinkansen, it links Kita-Shiobara Station to Yaita Station. It was finished in 1982 and can go 320 km/h (199 mph). Like the other bridges, this one is made up of a number of viaducts that hold up the railroad tracks, with some parts rising above both land and water.
Tianjin Grand Bridge
- 113.7 km (70.6 mi) long.
- Country: China
- High-speed train for traffic
The Tianjin Grand Bridge is the second longest bridge in China and the fourth largest bridge in the world. It also connects Langfang and Qingxian to the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. When it was finished in 2010, it was the second-longest bridge of any kind in the world, and it held that record until 2011. Like the others, it is made up of viaducts that hold up the railroad tracks and have parts that are higher than land and water.
Cangde Grand Bridge
- Distance: 106 km (65.9 mi)
- Country: China
- High-speed train for traffic
In the world, the Cangde Grand Bridge is the fifth longest. In China, it is the third largest. It connects Cangzhou and Dezhou and is part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. It was finished in 2010 and is meant to go 350 km/h (217 mph). It is built the same way as the other bridges; it has elevated parts that cross land and water and viaducts that hold up the railroad tracks.
Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge
- It’s 79.7 km long (49.5 mi).
- Country: China
- High-speed train for traffic
There are six longer bridges in the world than the Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge. It is the fourth longer bridge in China. It crosses the Wei River more than once as part of the Zhengzhou–Xi’an High-Speed Railway. The building was finished in 2008, and its top speed is 350 km/h (217 mph). Like its counterparts, it has elevated sections that cross over land and water and viaducts that hold up train tracks.
The Bang Na Expressway
- 54 km (33.5 mi) long.
- Thailand is the place
- Road traffic: expressway
The Bang Na Expressway is the longest road bridge in Asia and the seventh-longest bridge in the world. In the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, it is a toll road that goes along National Highway Route 34.
Since it opened in 2000, it has been the Guinness World Record holder for the longest road bridge. The six-lane concrete structure on this bridge is held up by steel columns and is intended to handle speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph).
The Beijing Grand Bridge
- 48.2 km (29.9 mi) long.
- Country: China
- High-speed train for traffic
The eighth-longest bridge in the world is the Beijing Grand Bridge. It is also the fifth-longest bridge in China. Along with the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, it links Beijing and Langfang. It was finished in 2010 and is meant to go 350 km/h (217 mph). Like other Chinese bridges, this one is made up of viaducts that hold up the railroad tracks and raised parts that cross land and water.
Metro Manila Skyway System
- 39.2 km (24.4 mi) long.
- Place: Philippines
- Road traffic: expressway
The Metro Manila Skyway System is the longest bridge in the Philippines and the ninth-longest bridge in the world. It is an elevated toll road that links Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Laguna to other parts of Metro Manila. It will be finished in 2021 and be able to go 100 km/h (62 mph). The six-lane bridge is made of concrete and is held up by steel beams. Some parts of the bridge are raised above the water and land.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
- Distance: 38.4 km (23.9 mi)
- Place: United States
- Drive: Highway
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge in the United States and the ninth longest bridge in the world. Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain is crossed by this two-span bridge. The span going south was finished in 1956, and the span going north was finished in 1969.
Since 1969, it has been the Guinness World Record holder for the longest bridge that goes across water without stopping. The bridge has four lanes made of concrete and is held up by concrete piles. It is intended to handle speeds of up to 105 km/h (65 mph).
All 10 of these bridges are among the world’s ten longest in 2023, and they are all amazing examples of engineering and building skill. They have made it much easier to connect and move around, which has helped millions of people.