The longest bridge in the world: 2019

The Bridge

One of the oldest transportation structures is the unassuming bridge, allowing travelers to reach their destinations, crossing areas of water or to avoid dangerous obstacles, continually providing sufficient support in both material and design.

A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle, such as a body of water, valley, or road, without closing the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, usually something that can be detrimental to cross otherwise. There are many different designs that each serve a particular purpose and apply to different situations. Designs of bridges vary depending on the function of the bridge, the nature of the terrain where the bridge is constructed and anchored, the material used to make it, and the funds available to build it.

Most likely the earliest bridges were fallen trees and stepping stones, while Neolithic people built boardwalk bridges across marshland. The Arkadiko Bridge dating from the 13th century BC, in the Peloponnese, in southern Greece is one of the oldest arch bridges still in existence and use.

The Arkadiko Bridge was built between 1300 and 1190 BCE, making it one of the oldest still-used arch bridges still in existence.

Tower Bridge

Golden Bridge

Sydney Harbor bridge

Hong Kong-Zhuhai bridge

The longest Bridge

One of the oldest transportation structures is the unassuming bridge, allowing travelers to reach their destinations, crossing areas of water or to avoid dangerous obstacles.

There are the top 10 longest bridges nowadays in the world, which has been built against the increased need for commuters to gain access to employment, housing, alongside providing significant access within tourist destinations, utilizing a number of different materials, designs, and functions.

10. Hangzhou Bay Bridge (China)

Opening in 2008, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge has become the longest sea-crossing bridge worldwide at 22.2 miles, connecting Ningbo's Cixi to Jiaxing, while also reducing travel time between Shanghai and Ningbo.

9. Yangcun Bridge (China)

Completed in 2007 and spanning 22.3 miles, the Yangcun Bridge has become part of the Beijing-Tianjin intercity railway.

8. Manchac Swamp Bridge (USA)

Opening in 1979, the twin concrete trestle bridge. Located within Louisiana, the Manchac Swamp Bridge spans 22.8 miles and runs over Lake Maurepas.

7. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (USA)

Similar to many bridges that have now been constructed, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Encompassing 23.9 miles, the southbound bridges officially opened in 1956; however, the second round of construction works did not complete until 1969.

6. Beijing Grand Bridge (China)

Completed in 2010, the Beijing Grand Bridge has become one of the longest bridges in the world at 29.9 miles.

5. Bang Na, Highway (Thailand)

The Bang Na Highway is considered one of the longest bridges in the world, with six lanes spanning over 33.5 miles.

4. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge (China)

Completing in 2008, the Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge encompasses 49.5 miles, crossing the Wei River and connecting Zhengzhou and Xian. Although finalized in 2008.

3. Tianjin Grand Bridge (China)

Completed in 2010, the Tianjin Grand Bridge links Langfang and Qingxian in China to the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, encompassing 70.6 miles and becoming the third longest bridge in the world.

2. Changhua-Kaohsiung, Rail (Taiwan)

Part of the Taiwan High-Speed Rail, the Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct incorporates 97.8 miles of track, running from Taipei to Kaohsiung.

1. Danyang Kunshan Grand Bridge (China)

Opening in 2011 after a five-year construction period, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge covers an impressive 102.4 miles on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway.