The development of technical thought once led mankind to create an amazing engineering structure. Having come up with a bridge over a water barrier, a man made life easier for himself.
Today in the world there are many bridges of very different designs and classifications. The majestic and powerful many of them are real masterpieces of architectural art and architecture. We will travel around the world and visit the largest as well as the longest bridge in the world.
In general, you can find out the most up-to-date list of long bridges on Wikipedia by clicking on the link. Our article will be more overview, we will try to show you also the most interesting of the longest bridges. At the beginning of 2020, the list of long bridges looks like this:
And now more about some of them:
Shanghai Maglev, China (30 km.)
We will begin our consideration of long bridge structures from the east. The world's first magnetic suspension railway was opened on the first day of 2004 in China. A part of this road, 30 kilometers long, ran across the bridge, and connects Pundong Airport with the outskirts of Chinese Shanghai.
The bridge was built in a picturesque place, but passengers are unlikely to have time to consider the beauty of nature, since the train travels thirty kilometers in just 7 minutes.
Donghai Bridge, China (32.5 km.)
The length of this structure, which was erected over the ocean surface, is 32.5 km. A unique three-piece engineering structure connected the mainland of China with the deep sea port of Yangshan.
Most of the transoceanic bridge is a low viaduct, but on the offshore section there is a cable-stayed section for convenient passage of ships.
Hang Yang Suspension Bridge, Taiwan (0.28 km.)
From a distance this bridge in China, due to the curvature of its shape, looks like a huge dinosaur.
The bridge, the construction of which ended in 2005, is 281 meters long. For the convenience of tourists arriving in Taipei, the bridge has comfortable hotels and many entertainment venues.
Hangzhou Bay Bridge, China (35.6 km.)
This structure above the water surface is similar to the English letter “S”, and experts note not only its unique design, but also its beauty.
In addition, it is the longest bridge in the world built over the ocean. Its total length is 35.67 kilometers.
Yangcun, China (36.6 km.)
The beautifully executed Yangcun Bridge not only provides additional amenities, but also delivers true aesthetic pleasure with its appearance.
The most beautiful and great bridge acquired its present form in 2007, and its length over the Yangtze River is 36.6 kilometers.
Manchak Swamp, United States (36.69 km.)
With a total length of 36.69 kilometers, Manchak Swamp in Louisiana for a long time held the title of the longest, until the engineering giants began to build in China.
In fact, it is a dam in the wetlands of Lake Ponchartrain. A unique engineering structure in the USA consists of two parallel bridges crossing a large lake.
Grand Bridge, China (164.8 km.)
The Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct in Jiangsu Province of China is today the longest bridge in the world. Over the earth and the water surface of Yangcheng Lake, its length is 164.8 kilometers.
10 thousand people worked on the creation of this engineering masterpiece for 4 years, and the total cost was a record $ 8.5 billion.
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Bang Na, Thailand (55 km.)
The 55-kilometer highway in Thailand is debatable whether Bang Na is a bridge because it does not cross the water.
But the magnificent structure, by its monumentality, is worthy to be included in our list of the longest bridge structures in the world.
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The highest pedestrian bridge in the world: Baluarte, Mexico
In fairness, we note the highest pedestrian bridge in the world. This amazing building connects the states of Mexico, and it is located at an altitude of 400 meters.
To get from one end to the other, pedestrians need to overcome 1,124 meters, but authorities plan to soon launch inter-state road communications.
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The longest footbridge in Russia: Skypark AJ Hackett
In the photo: Skypark AJ Hackett, Russia.
In the picturesque Akhshtyrsky Gorge in Sochi, the longest pedestrian bridge in the world was built. Suspension bridges in any corner of the world, like the Sochi masterpiece, are often used for extreme bungee jumping.
So in Sochi you can not only take a walk looking at the beautiful views of the gorge, but also jump down with a cable of 69 meters.
The bridge is 439 meters long and 207 meters high, making it the third longest pedestrian bridge in the world.
The longest bridges in Russia
It is difficult to understand the definitions and calculation of the length of the bridge. The total length is also not entirely fair to choose the winners. Because often the bridge is replaced by a land highway, and then again into the bridge section. But we decided to show you 2 long bridges of Russia:
1
Presidential Bridge, Ulyanovsk (12.9 km.)
It is not surprising that the longest bridge in Russia spread across the most famous Russian river Volga.
The length of the bridge connecting the two banks in the city of Ulyanovsk is 12 970 meters. According to the terms of construction, the bridge construction in the Russian city can also be entered in the records. In total, the construction lasted 23 years.
By the way, on thebiggest.ru you will also find an article about the highest bridges in the world.
2
Crimean (Kerch) bridge (19 km.)
Rosavtodor.ru [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, this bridge has become one of the largest construction projects in Russia. This is also one of the most politically resonant and even engaged topics, not only in Russia, but also abroad.
This bridge connects the Kerch and Tasmanian Peninsulas, it consists of two parallel bridges: road and rail. If we consider the total length (part of which falls on the land share, then this is the largest bridge in Russia).
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The longest bridge in Europe (17.2 km)
In the photo: Vasco da Gama bridge, Portugal.
The largest river in the Iberian Peninsula is crossed by the longest bridge in Europe, named after the famous traveler and discoverer of new lands.
The bridge northeast of Lisbon was built in record time, in just 18 months. Together with access roads, its length is 17.2 kilometers.
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Bolshoi Obukhov Bridge, Russia (2.8 km.)
Before telling about the largest and longest bridge in the world, let's look at the city of bridges Petersburg. The bridge in St. Petersburg is undoubtedly a significant urban symbol.
Among the many suspension, drawbridge bridge structures, Bolshoy Obukhovsky, stretching over the Neva, is the longest bridge in St. Petersburg. The cable-stayed bridge, as it is commonly called, has a length of 2,884 meters.
This is a non-movable bridge, so the overall height of the vessels leaving the Neva to the Baltic Sea has significantly decreased. In 2003, a unique museum of one engineering structure was opened at the observation deck.
And now about our record holder ...
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Qingdao Bridge, China (42.4 km.)
Two crews of workers for 4 years built the longest bridge in the world over water over the sea bay. A powerful structure connected the city of Qingdao with the industrial suburb of Huangdao.
The total length of the Chinese miracle is 42.4 kilometers, and the longest bridge over the water cost 5.5 billion pounds.
During construction, all terrain features and safety rules were taken into account. The creators guarantee that it can withstand an earthquake with a power of 8 points, as well as other natural disasters.
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To summarize the longest bridges
Pictured: Corando Bridge in San Diego. USA.
As you can see, the largest bridges are mainly built in China, but other parts of the world also boast no less magnificent and monumental engineering structures. And how many bridges will be erected yet? Remember, in one of the articles on thebiggest.ru we wrote about the widest rivers in the world? The width of some of them would allow breaking all the unthinkable records of bridge building.
Bridges have come a long way of development and improvement, from the first tree that fell across the river, connecting its banks, to the unique and inimitable engineering structures built using the latest technology. And perhaps in the near future the largest bridge in the world will connect new shores.
Author: Valery Skiba.