People have long built bridges to cross difficult sections of water and land. The oldest surviving bridge in the world, the Arkadiko Bridge in Greece, was constructed in 1300 B.C. using massive blocks of stone, no mortar, and a corbelled arched vault.
Today, bridges in Hong Kong, Louisiana, and across the globe are built using materials like concrete and steel. They’re constructed to withstand everything from extreme weather conditions and earthquakes to being struck by boats weighing hundreds of thousands of tons. Here’s what you should know about the longest bridges in the world.
Titans of Engineering: World’s Longest Bridges
You might be surprised to learn that the world’s longest bridges can be dozens of miles long. Here are several of the most impressive structures.
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge: The Undisputed Leader
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China was completed in 2011 and remains the longest bridge in the world, with a length of 164.8 km (102.4 miles). It spans the Yangtze River delta and a portion of Yangcheng Lake and is part of the larger Shanghai High Speed Railway line connecting Beijing to Shanghai.
Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct: Bridging the Gaps in Taiwan
Taiwan boasts the world’s second-longest bridge. At 157.3 km (97.8 miles) long, the Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct, part of the country’s high-speed rail network, connects Zouying to Baguashan.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway: A Marvel in the United States
Cited as the longest continuous bridge over water, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana spans 38 km (24 miles), connecting communities on the north shore to urban New Orleans.
Made from pre-stressed concrete, this twin bridge was built in just 14 months using mass production and assembly line methods not previously seen in bridge construction.
Tianjin Grand Bridge: Urban Innovation
Another bridge on the Shanghai High Speed Railway line, this structure spans 113 km (just over 70 miles), connecting Langfang to Qingxian. The elevated structure allows the rail line to traverse urban areas with minimal environmental impact.
Millau Viaduct: Soaring to New Heights
The Millau Viaduct in France is the tallest bridge in the world. This bridge spanning the Tarn River carries drivers at a height of 270 meters (over 880 feet) above the ground, with the tallest tower reaching 340 meters (1,115 feet).
Driscoll Bridge: On the Wide Side
Named after Governor Alfred E. Driscoll, the Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey (State Route 444) crosses the Raritan River to connect Sayreville and Woodbridge Township. It’s not very long at just 4,000 feet, but with 15 travel lanes and an additional six shoulder lanes, it’s among the widest and busiest bridges in the world.
Architectural Giants: Longest Bridges in the U.S.
Although Asia has made major strides in recent years where long bridges are concerned, the U.S. is no stranger to these impressive engineering feats.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway: Dual Functionality
Among the longest bridges in the U.S., the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway has had a major impact on the area. Completed in 1956, this bridge significantly reduced commute times for north shore residents and increased tourist traffic from New Orleans to smaller lake communities.
Manchac Swamp Bridge: Engineering in the Swamps
The second longest bridge in the U.S., the Manchac Swamp Bridge, is 36.7 km (nearly 23 miles) and features piles driven to a depth of 250 feet beneath the swamp to ensure stability.
The Future of Large Bridge Construction
While there might not be a bridge built that rivals the length of the Danyang-Kunshan Bridge any time soon, there are still important projects in the works.
Upcoming Projects and Future Prospects
Tanzania is currently planning a project to build the longest bridge in Africa, with a 50 km (31 mile) span connecting Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island. The Fourth Mainland Bridge in Nigeria is set to become the second longest on the continent, at 37 km (23 miles).
With new materials like carbon fiber-reinforced polymers and fiber-reinforced concrete offering durability, corrosion resistance, and increased strength-to-weight ratios, we could see revolutionary advances in bridge construction in the coming years.
