The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge turns a 45-minute ferry ride into a 4-minute car ride. It is still only the second longest suspension bridge in the world. The suspension bridge, with its towering towers and elegant spans, is more than just an engineering feat;Even if those don't".The longest suspension bridge in the worldThe suspension bridge of the title is also a symbol of human ingenuity and perseverance.
These massive structures, such as the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan and the Canakkale Bridge in Turkey in 1915, span vast expanses of water, connecting land and culture. The longest suspension bridges in the world, each one a marvel in its own right, represents the pinnacle of this architectural form.
The list covers the world's longest suspension bridge main span, not the longest overall length, because these major ** spans are where the real engineering marvel happens.
Built in 1915, the Canakkale Bridge spans the historic Dardanelles Strait in northwestern Turkey and is a symbol of national pride. It is officially known as the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 2,023 meters (6,637 feet).
This engineering marvel is not only the record holder for its length, but also the tallest bridge in Turkey, with an impressive tower standing at 334 meters (1,096 feet).
Construction of the bridge, which began in March 2017 and was completed in March 2022, was ambitious from the start. Originally planned for completion in 2023, it was eventually completed ahead of schedule.
The Canakkale Bridge not only symbolizes Turkey's connection between Europe and Asia, but also commemorates a key victory of the Ottoman Navy during World War I, as its name reflects.
According to Erdogan**, the bridge will cost about 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion), but it is expected to save significant fuel consumption and carbon emissions each year.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is an important bridge connecting Iwaya on Awaji Island and Kobe on Honshu Island. Completed in 1998, this Japanese suspension bridge spans the Akashi Strait, a busy shipping channel notorious for its harsh weather conditions.
With a central span of 1,991 meters (6,532 feet), it held the title of the longest suspension bridge in the world until the 1915 Canakkale Bridge in Turkey surpassed it in 2022.
The idea to build the bridge stemmed from the 1945 Sekirei Maru sinking tragedy and the Shiun Maru disaster a decade later – events that underscored the need for a reliable, permanent connection to the Akashi Strait.
Construction of the bridge began in April 1988 and was originally planned as an iron-to-road bridge, later converted to a six-lane road bridge.
The construction process, which involved more than 100 contractors, was a model of resilience, especially after Hanshin Dai** in January 1995. It is worth noting that the pylons were moved, but due to their seismic design, no major damage was caused.
Completed and opened to traffic in October 2019, the Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, is the longest suspension bridge in China and the third longest in the world. It is 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) long and spans the famous Yangtze River.
The bridge, in particular, has the longest double-deck span in the world, accommodating all forms of traffic on two levels.
The bridge connects Hanyang and Wuchang districts, and has six motor lanes connected to the highway system on the upper level, with sidewalks on both sides. The lower deck includes four additional motorized lanes, as well as pedestrian and non-motorized lanes.
The Nansha Bridge in Guangdong, China, is a pair of suspension bridges spanning the Pearl River. These bridges are an important part of the Pearl River Delta Expressway network, connecting Shatian Town in Dongguan and Nansha District in Guangzhou.
The Nansha Bridge is part of the region's infrastructure and the starting point of the Guanglong Expressway.
The Nansha Bridge was opened to traffic on April 2, 2019, showcasing China's expertise in modern bridge construction. The total length of the bridge is a staggering 12,891 m (42,293 ft), with the longest Nizhou Waterway Bridge spanning 1,688 m (5,538 ft).
With an impressive width of 54 meters (177 feet) and multiple traffic lanes, the bridge makes a significant contribution to the region's connectivity and transportation efficiency.
China's Xihuomen Bridge is a suspension bridge located in the Zhoushan archipelago. As part of a major bridge project launched in 1999, the bridge sits alongside the Jintang Bridge, connecting Jintang Island and Zhangzi Island, playing a crucial role in the integration of the vast Zhoushan archipelago with Chinese mainland.
The bridge is an important part of the Yongzhou Expressway, highlighting its strategic importance in regional connectivity.
The construction of the Xihuomen Bridge was undertaken by Zhejiang Province at a cost of about 24800 million yuan (about 3..)$6.3 billion), which began construction in 2005 and completed the main span in December 2007.
The bridge was first commissioned on December 25, 2009. The day marked an important milestone in China's infrastructure development, although its opening to traffic was slightly delayed due to a ship collision that damaged the neighboring Jintang Bridge.
With a central span of 1,650 meters (5,413 feet), the Nishihormon Bridge was one of the longest suspension bridges in the world at the time.
The Great Belt Bridge, also known as the East Bridge, spans the Great Belt Strait in Denmark and connects the Danish islands of Zealand and Funen. The bridge is an integral part of the national transport network.
With a total length of 6,790 m (22,277 ft) and a center span of 1,624 m (5,328 ft), the multi-element fixed-link suspension section is currently the sixth longest main span in the world.
The bridge was designed by the Danish companies Cowi, Ramboll and the architectural firm Dissing+Weitling, and was built between 1991 and 1998 by a consortium of companies such as Hochtief, Skanska, H Jgaard & Schultz and Monberg & Thorsen.
The total construction cost in 1988 was estimated at DKK 21.4 billion (about 3.).US$100 million), which is the largest construction project on record in Danish history.
The Great Belt Bridge not only replaces the Great Belt ferry service and significantly shortens travel times across Beltbelt, but together with the Øresund Bridge and the Little Belt Bridge, it enables a direct route from mainland Europe to Sweden via Denmark.
The Ottomangazi Bridge, also known as the Izmit Bay Bridge, is a spectacular suspension bridge that spans the Gulf of Izmit in Turkey. This impressive building is part of the O-5 highway that connects the city of Gebze with the province of Yalova, significantly reducing travel times in the area.
Inaugurated on July 1, 2016, the bridge was then the longest suspension bridge in Turkey and the fourth longest in the world by **span, with a length of 1,550 meters (5,090 feet).
The construction of the bridge was a landmark project that was initiated by a consortium of five Turkish companies and the Italian company Astaldi after a tender in April 2009. With an estimated total project cost of 11 billion Turkish lira, the bridge is a significant investment in the country's transportation construction. Infrastructure.
Not only did the Osmangazi Bridge shorten the distance between Istanbul and Izmir by about 140 kilometers (87 miles), but it also helped bypass the long route around the Gulf of Izmit, reducing travel time between these major cities from 6 hours to around 5 hours.
The bridge provides three-lane traffic in each direction, enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother traffic.
Located in Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, the Yi Sun-sin Bridge is an important part of the road leading to Yeosu Industrial Complex. Named after the respected South Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin, known for his naval prowess, the bridge blends historical homage with modern engineering.
Since its opening to traffic in 2012, the bridge has been recognized as the eighth longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1,545 meters (5,069 feet). It connects Gwangyang and the small island of Myoshima-dong.
Notably, the bridge was designed by Yooshin Engineering Corporation and built by Daelim Industrial Company. The project marks an important step forward for Korean engineering technology, as it is the first time that a domestic company has undertaken the complete construction of such a large suspension bridge in South Korea.
The YTSIN Bridge was also a finalist for the 2013 Outstanding Structure Award, further cementing its status as an engineering marvel and a symbol of national pride and achievement.
The Runyang Yangtze River Bridge is a striking bridge complex in China's Jiangsu Province, spanning the Yangtze River downstream of Nanjing. It connects Zhenjiang on the south bank of the river and Yangzhou on the north bank. The bridge is part of the Yangli Expressway and plays a pivotal role in the regional transportation network.
Construction crews for the bridge complex broke ground in October 2000 and, like several other bridges on the list, ended early and opened to traffic on April 30, 2005.
The total cost of the bridge is about 5.8 billion yuan (about 700 million US dollars), and the total length of the bridge complex is about 3566 km (22.)16 miles). The main span is 1,490 m (4,889 ft).
Before the bridge was built, the all-day ferry was the main mode of transportation for this section of the Yangtze River, and it only took about 40 minutes to get from Yangzhou to Zhenjiang Railway Station. The ferry service continued to operate even after the bridge was completed, providing a faster way for some locals to find an alternative route to the city centers of Zhenjiang and Yangzhou.
The Hangrui Dongting Bridge, which spans Dongting Lake in Yueyang City, northeastern Hunan Province, China, is a huge engineering feat.
The bridge's innovative design includes the use of cable dampers that utilize magnetorheological fluids capable of changing viscosity in response to electromagnetic fields. The bridge accommodates four lanes of traffic, two in each direction, enhancing connectivity and facilitating traffic in this important area.
The cable-stayed bridge is supported by three towers, each 310 m (1,017 ft) long, plus two side spans, each adding another 130 m (427 ft) to the massive suspension bridge. The total length of the actual bridge is 1,480 m (4,856 ft).