China on Sunday officially opened the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province, setting a new world record as the highest bridge on the planet.
The colossal structure stands 625 metres (2,051 feet) above the Huajiang River, overtaking the nearby Beipanjiang Bridge (565 metres) — also in Guizhou — as the world’s second highest. Live drone footage from state media showed cars crossing the bridge’s vast expanse, its striking blue towers piercing the clouds, while crowds of engineers and officials celebrated on site.
According to Zhang Yin, head of Guizhou’s provincial transport department, the bridge cuts travel time between the two sides of the canyon from two hours to just two minutes. She said the opening will dramatically improve regional transport links and drive economic growth.
China has poured massive investment into infrastructure projects over recent decades, especially in Guizhou, a mountainous province now home to nearly half of the world’s 100 highest bridges.
Xinhua reported that the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge took over three years to build and features a main span of 1,420 metres — the largest of any bridge in a mountainous area worldwide.
While China now boasts the world’s highest bridge, France’s Millau Viaduct remains the tallest in terms of structural height, standing 343 metres (1,125 feet) above the ground.
