China is preparing to open the world's highest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon, in June 2025, the latest engineering feat in a country focused on infrastructure.
The bridge is nearing completion in Guizhou, southwest China, and will reach 2,051 feet above the river, 947 feet higher than the Millau Viaduct in France, the current title holder.
Guizhou Province is a mountainous region in China with complex terrain, and the bridge crosses the spectacular Huajiang Grand Canyon, also known as the Earth Split.
China is striving to improve infrastructure nationwide, especially in relatively underdeveloped mountainous regions such as Guizhou, located 800 miles west of Shenzhen.
When the bridge is operational, it will make crossing the region easier than ever for cars and trucks. Not only will it set a new world record, but it will also reduce travel time across the massive Huajiang Canyon from two hours to just one minute, according to state media.
Construction officially began on January 18, 2022, and is expected to be completed on June 30, 2025. The steel truss suspension bridge is 9,482 feet long, according to local Guizhou state media. These trusses weigh approximately 22,000 tons, equivalent to the weight of three Eiffel Towers.
Chang Shenglin, chief engineer of the Guizhou Expressway Group, told China Daily that overall construction progress on the bridge has reached 95 percent, and it is scheduled to open to traffic in the second half of 2025.
Chang added that by then, this gigantic project, spanning the landmass, will be the first in the world to span in both directions.
He noted that it will be another landmark project that demonstrates the strength of Chinese infrastructure.
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