(Image source from: AFP)
Cutting travel time across the Huajiang Grand Canyon from two hours to merely two minutes, China has officially opened the highest bridge in the world in Guizhou. Soaring 625 meters above the ground, this bridge was built over a span of three years, stretches 1,420 meters, and uses modern engineering methods. The phrase "faster than Maggi" refers to the instant noodle brand, known for cooking in about two minutes. This bridge, which connects the Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture to Anshun City in Guizhou, has made traveling between the two sides much quicker, enhancing regional transport and promoting economic and social growth, as reported by Global Times.
"The opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge cuts travel time between the two banks from two hours to just two minutes," said Zhang Yin, leader of the provincial transport department, during a press briefing.
"Its launch significantly improves local transportation and gives fresh energy to regional economic and social advancements," she was quoted saying by AFP. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is part of the 190-kilometer-long Shantian-Puxi Expressway, aimed at enhancing connections in southwestern China. Standing 625 meters above a river and the deep canyon in Guizhou’s mountainous area, this bridge has earned the title of the tallest bridge in the world, surpassing the nearby Beipanjiang Bridge, which is 565 meters high and now stands second, according to reports. The four-lane bridge is noted for being the tallest and the longest span bridge constructed in a mountainous area, with an overall length of 2,890 meters, as per reports.
State news agency Xinhua stated that almost 50 of the 100 tallest bridges in the world are located in this province.
On Sunday morning, local officials and individuals from different ethnic backgrounds came together on and close to the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge for a celebration of its opening, as reported by China’s Global Times. Earlier in August this year, a team conducted tests by driving 96 trucks to specific spots to check the bridge's strength, according to the BBC. Xinhua reported that it took over three years to complete the construction of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge. With a main span measuring 1,420 meters, it is recognized as the longest span bridge ever constructed in a mountainous region. The primary bridge consists of 93 steel truss parts that weigh about 22,000 tonnes, which is three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower, as reported by South China Morning Post.
Recent advancements in technology have reduced the time needed to build large bridges, according to Science and Technology Daily. The report mentioned that this new bridge utilized cutting-edge tools such as Doppler lidar detection, BeiDou dynamic positioning, digital assembly methods, and smart transportation systems. Zhang Yin pointed out that constructing the bridge required engineers to overcome challenges posed by strong winds in the canyon and difficult geological conditions. He also mentioned that the project received 21 approved patents and featured various technical innovations.
