Largest Bridges in the World: Discovering the Largest Bridges on the Planet
There’s something undeniably awe-inspiring about bridges. They are often the tallest, longest, and most complex structures in a city, crossing rivers and valleys to connect people and places.
This list of the largest bridges in the world will feature the largest ones and help you better appreciate the architecture behind each one. With unique bridge designs from all around the world, this list of the largest bridges will have it all.
When you finish this list of the largest bridges in the world, visit our lists of the best travel sites and best travel blogs for travel resources to help you plan your trip to one of these amazing architectural feats.
Top 20 Largest Bridges in the World:
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
Location: Hong Kong
Highlights: 34 miles long, supported by single-column piers, and links the three areas of Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau.
About Bridge: At 34 miles long, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is the longest steel bridge-tunnel system in the world and links the three areas of Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. The bridge, which opened in 2018, consists of three cable-stayed bridges connected by an underwater tunnel and two human-made islands. Private use of the bridge is limited to just 10,000 permit holders, with the majority of passengers traveling across on the bridge’s 24-hour public shuttle system.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is hailed as an architectural wonder. The massive structure is supported by single-column piers that are buried deep in the seabed. This design minimizes interference with water currents and causes the least amount of disturbance to populations of Chinese white dolphins.
Akashi Kaikyō Bridge
Location: Awaji Island
Highlights: Spans an incredible 6,532 feet, is a vital link between the city of Kobe and Awaji Island, and can withstand winds of up to 178 miles per hour.
About Bridge: The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge is one of the biggest and most impressive bridges in the world. It spans an incredible 6,532 feet, making it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. The bridge was opened to traffic in 1998 and has been a vital link between the city of Kobe and Awaji Island ever since.
This awe-inspiring feat of engineering was built to withstand winds of up to 178 miles per hour thanks to its unique design that allows it to expand up to 6.5 feet per day. This makes it one of the most earthquake-resistant structures in the world. The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge is a truly impressive sight and a vital part of Japan’s infrastructure.
Dhola-Sadiya Bridge
Location: India
Highlights: Spans a massive 5.69 miles, is the longest overwater in India, and is constructed with a beam design.
About Bridge: The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is one of the biggest and most impressive bridges in the world. Spanning a massive 5.69 miles, this bridge is the longest overwater in India and connects the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Constructed with a beam design, the three-lane Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is able to accommodate heavy traffic, including military vehicles. This makes it an important strategic asset for India, particularly given the volatile border situation with China.
Completed in May 2017, the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge has already made a huge impact on travel time between Rupai in Assam and Meka/Roing in Arunachal Pradesh, reducing the journey from six hours to just one.
Millau Viaduct Bridge
Location: France
Highlights: Tallest bridge in the world, is a stayed-cable bridge, and stretches 1.5 miles across the Tarn River Valley.
About Bridge: The Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world and is located in Aveyron, France. The Millau Viaduct is a stayed-cable bridge that stretches 1.5 miles across the Tarn River Valley.
The expressway lanes are 890 feet at its highest point above the Valley floor, but the structure itself towers another 235 feet above for a total height of 1,125 feet, making it an iconic fixture of France’s countryside. The Millau Viaduct is routinely heralded as one of the greatest feats of modern engineering, and the impressive engineering behind it is the result of the viaduct’s cable-stay design.
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge
Location: Shanghai
Highlights: Connects several major cities, was built by a team of 10,000 workers in four years, and cost $8.5 billion.
About Bridge: The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is one of the biggest and longest bridges in the world. Connecting several major cities within China’s Yangtze River Delta, this engineering marvel has drastically reduced travel times between Ningbo and Jiaxing.
Built by a team of 10,000 workers in just four years, the $8.5 billion bridge is able to withstand earthquakes, typhoons, and even direct hits from massive naval vessels. Its unique design and incredible strength make it one of the most impressive bridges in the world.
Duge Bridge
Location: China
Highlights: Highest bridge in the world, spans an impressive 4,400 feet, and is 1,854 feet above ground level.
About Bridge: If you’re looking for one of the tallest and highest bridges in the world, you’ll want to check out the Duge Bridge in Guizhou, China. This massive bridge spans an impressive 4,400 feet and features a cable-stayed design that keeps it sturdy and stable.
The real highlight of the Duge Bridge, however, is its incredible height. At 1,854 feet above ground level, it is the highest bridge in the world. That means that if you were to stand at the bottom of the bridge’s span, you would be staring up at more than a mile of empty space.
The Duge Bridge is just one of many amazing bridges in Guizhou Province. In fact, the region has more of the world’s highest bridges than any other country on Earth. And by 2020, there will be more than 250 bridges in Guizhou Province that are taller than 330 feet.
Tianjin Grand Bridge
Location: China
Highlights: An incredible 70 miles long, has a unique structure, and runs between Langfang and Qingxian.
About Bridge: This railroad viaduct is an incredible 70 miles long, running between Langfang and Qingxian as part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Construction on the bridge finished in 2010 after four years of work, and it’s been impressing visitors and locals alike ever since.
What makes the Tianjin Grand Bridge so special? For starters, its massive size – at over 70 miles long, it’s one of the longest bridges in the world. But it’s also the unique structure that really sets it apart. The bridge consists of a series of box girders, each more than 100 feet long and weighing 860 tons.
These massive girders were made in two workplaces along the bridge route and then brought to their installation site by a special crane.
Cangde Grand Bridge
Location: China
Highlights: 66 miles long, the fourth-longest bridge in the world, and is a part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway.
About Bridge: If you’re looking for the biggest bridges in the world, you can’t go wrong with the Cangde Grand Bridge. This massive structure is the fourth-longest bridge in the world and spans an impressive 66 miles. It’s part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and carries the line across Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China.
Thanks to this bridge, travel time between these destinations have been reduced from three hours to just 30 minutes.
Bang Na Expressway
Location: Thailand
Highlights: Stretches over 34 miles, carries a six-lane elevated highway above another highway, and crosses the Bang Pakong River.
About Bridge: The Bang Na Expressway is one of the biggest bridges in the world, stretching over 34 miles. This impressive feat of engineering was completed in early 2000 and carries a six-lane elevated highway above another highway.
The viaduct is made even more impressive by the fact that it crosses the Bang Pakong River for a short distance. If you’re looking for a uniquely designed bridge that is sure to impress, the Bang Na Expressway is a great choice.
Evergreen Point Floating Bridge
Location: United States
Highlights: 7,710 feet long, features shoulder lanes, and has a 14-foot-wide bicycle-pedestrian path.
About Bridge: At 7,710 feet long, it is the longest floating bridge in the world. Completed in 2016, it took the place of a floating bridge of the same name that was built in 1963, which was discarded due to concerns over its ability to withstand earthquakes and other extreme weather events.
In addition to updated safety standards, the new bridge features shoulder lanes and a 14-foot-wide bicycle-pedestrian path protected from car traffic. It also has the ability to support light rail, should the region choose to fund it in the future.
6th October Bridge
Location: Egypt
Highlights: 12.7 miles long, took almost 30 years to build, and carries 500,000 people across the Nile River every day.
About Bridge: The 6th October Bridge in Cairo is one of the biggest and most impressive bridges in the world. This massive concrete structure spans 12.7 miles and took almost 30 years to build. Sometimes referred to as “the spinal cord of Cairo,” the 6th October Bridge carries 500,000 people across the Nile River every day.
It connects the city’s downtown area with its suburbs and the international airport. In 2021, the president of Egypt ordered an expansion and upgrade of the bridge.
Ikitsuki Bridge
Location: Japan
Highlights: 1,300 feet long, has an all-steel structure, and is painted in an eye-catching baby blue.
About Bridge: If you’re looking for the world’s longest continuous truss bridge, look no further than the Ikitsuki Bridge in Japan. At just over 1,300 feet long, it’s a great spot for a scenic photo op or just to admire the engineering feat.
The all-steel structure is painted in an eye-catching baby blue and connects the island of Ikitsuku with Hirado in Japan’s Nagasaki Prefecture. Prior to the bridge’s construction, the trip between the two islands was quite treacherous. Now, thanks to this bridge, visitors can enjoy a safe and scenic journey.
Hartland Covered Bridge
Location: Canada
Highlights: Built in 1901, named a National Historic Site in Canada, and has massive concrete piers and a wooden structure.
About Bridge: Stand in the middle of the world’s longest covered bridge and feel the history that surrounds you. The Hartland Covered Bridge spans 1,282 feet and was built in 1901. It’s been named a National Historic Site in Canada and is one of the biggest bridges in the world.
When you walk across the Hartland Covered Bridge, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. The massive concrete piers and wooden structure make it feel like you’re in a different era. And with Somerville town on one side and New Brunswick on the other, it’s easy to see why this bridge is so special.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Location: United States
Highlights: Spans 6,768 feet, is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, and has stunning views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Highlands.
About Bridge: At 6,768 feet long, Walkway Over the Hudson in New York is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, making it a truly impressive sight. Constructed in 1898, the historic span was closed in 1974 after a fire, but thanks to the hard work of local activists and an extensive $38.8 million restoration, it reopened as a linear park in 2009.
With stunning views of the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Hudson Highlands to the south, the Walkway is now a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, receiving 600,000 visitors each year. If visiting from out of the country, make sure you have the right visa for New York, and also make sure you take advantage of everything else that New York offers.
Øresund Bridge
Location: Sweden
Highlights: Combined rail and road bridge, connects Denmark and Sweden, and is a fast and convenient way to travel between the countries.
About Bridge: Stretching five miles in length, this combined rail and road bridge connects Denmark and Sweden, providing a direct link between two of Europe’s major countries. The Øresund Bridge opened in 2000 and has been hugely popular ever since, with tens of thousands of cars using it every day.
The entire trip from Denmark to Sweden takes only ten minutes by car, making it a fast and convenient way to travel between the two countries. The Øresund Bridge is an engineering marvel that is not to be missed.
Vasco da Gama Bridge
Location: Portugal
Highlights: 7.61 miles long, is a popular tourist destination, and was built to last 120 years and withstand powerful 155-mile-per-hour winds.
About Bridge: The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon, Portugal, is one of the longest bridges in the world, measuring 7.61 miles in length. The bridge was opened to the public in 1998 for the Expo 98 World’s Fair and was named after famous explorer Vasco da Gama to commemorate the 500th anniversary of his discovery of a water route between India and Europe.
The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that was built to last 120 years and withstand powerful 155-mile-per-hour winds. It took 3,300 workers 18 months to complete the construction of the bridge. Today, the Vasco da Gama Bridge is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views of Lisbon and the surrounding area.
Quebec Bridge
Location: Canada
Highlights: Has a length of 3000 feet, a central span of 1,801 feet, and was completed in 1917.
About Bridge: This incredible structure spans over 3,000 feet and features a central span of 1,801 feet. Completed in 1917, it was the longest cantilever bridge in the world at that time. The Quebec Bridge is truly a feat of engineering. It was designed as a rail-only bridge but now also accommodates pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles.
Rio-Niterói Bridge
Location: Brazil
Highlights: 8.26 miles long, known as a “box-girder” bridge, and receives a stunning 140,000 vehicles every day.
About Bridge: At 8.26 miles long, it’s the second-longest bridge in all of Latin America. Completed in 1974, the bridge connects the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói across the Guanabara Bay. The Rio-Niterói Bridge is technically known as a “box-girder” bridge made of pre-stressed concrete. It receives a stunning 140,000 vehicles per day. This bridge is truly a stunning testament to human achievement.
Russky Bridge
Location: Russia
Highlights: Stretches 10,200 feet, connects Vladivostok, Russia to Russky Island, and towers over 1,000 feet tall.
About Bridge: This massive bridge stretches 10,200 feet across the Eastern Bosphorus strait, connecting Vladivostok, Russia, to Russky Island. The bridge towers are over 1,000 feet tall, and the central span is an impressive 3,622 feet long.
The Russky Bridge was built to serve the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference that took place on Russky Island in 2012. The island is a beautiful natural expanse, and development has stalled in recent years. However, the bridge continues to remain a true marvel of human engineering.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Location: United States
Highlights: Stretches an impressive 24 miles, connects Metairie and Mandeville, and has breathtaking views.
About Bridge: Stretching an impressive 24 miles between Metairie and Mandeville, this bridge is one of the longest in the world and a testimony to human ingenuity.
For drivers, crossing the bridge can be a harrowing experience as they cannot see land for most of the journey. However, the breathtaking views and sense of achievement at the end make it all worth it. Police officers patrol the bridge and are on hand to help anyone who may get scared while crossing.
Largest Bridges in the World Conclusion
The world’s largest bridges are truly impressive feats of engineering, spanning large distances and connecting people and places. If you’re ever feeling adventurous, be sure to check out some of these mega-bridges for yourself – you won’t be disappointed!
And even if you can’t make it in person to any of these bridges, they are still fun to view and learn about online as well. So make sure to take advantage of the listed resources above if you are interested in any of these bridges.
Have you visited one of these bridges before? If you do, please feel free to share that below in the comments.
