Bridge Connecting the Canyons Reaches 625 Meters in Height
Travel Time Reduced from Two Hours to Two Minutes
Scheduled to Open at the End of September
The Huaxiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou, southwestern China, has completed its final safety verification and is set to open soon. With a height of 625 meters from the bridge deck to the water surface, this bridge is expected to become the highest bridge in the world built in a mountainous region, as well as the bridge with the longest main span (the distance between bridge towers).
According to China Daily, a state-run Chinese media outlet, the Huaxiang Grand Canyon Bridge, which is set to be recognized as the world's tallest bridge, completed its final load test on August 26 and has entered the final stage of preparations for opening.
The test, conducted to verify the bridge’s ability to withstand vehicle traffic, was also completed successfully. This final load test involved both static and dynamic verification. A total of 96 large trucks, weighing a combined 3,300 tons, were sequentially positioned at designated points on the bridge. Over 400 sensors installed throughout the bridge recorded minute structural changes in the main towers, main span, and cables.
During the five-day test, the bridge’s structural strength, rigidity, and dynamic performance all met safety standards. The bridge is scheduled to open to vehicle traffic at the end of September.
Safety tests are underway ahead of the opening of the Huaxiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province. Official SNS of Guizhou Province
Wu Zhaoming, the project manager at Guizhou Transportation Investment Group, which oversaw the construction, said, “This bridge is an unprecedented engineering achievement,” adding, “We overcame numerous challenges, from temperature control during massive concrete pours, to securing the steep cliff faces, and withstanding strong winds.”
Construction began in January 2022, and the connection of the main span (the distance between the two main towers supporting the bridge) was completed earlier this year. Once opened, the bridge will have a total length of 2,890 meters and a central span of 1,420 meters, making it the world’s largest suspension bridge built in mountainous terrain. The height from the bridge deck to the water surface is 625 meters, setting a new world record.
The 'World's Tallest Bridge' Connecting the Canyons
The Karst Mountains of Guizhou Province, where the bridge is located, are home to deep canyons that locals call “the crack of the earth.” In the Huaxiangzhen area, the Beipan River flows between limestone cliffs carved by the remnants of the Triassic sea, which have long prevented people from crossing the region.
Guizhou Province, which does not have a single flat area, has long relied on the construction of tunnels and bridges to overcome its karst terrain. The province now boasts more than 30,000 bridges, including three of the world’s tallest.
Nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges are located in Guizhou, earning it the nickname “the bridge museum of the world.” Including bridges currently under construction, the total length reaches 5,400 kilometers, which is equivalent to the north-south length of China.
Media outlets have reported that local residents are eagerly anticipating the opening of the bridge. “The time it takes to cross the canyon, which used to be two hours, will now be reduced to just two minutes,” the media noted, adding, “This bridge will serve as another major highway link and stands as a symbolic project connecting Guizhou’s rugged interior with a modern road network.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
