Humans have always been innovative. Every obstacle meant an opportunity to our ancestors. When they felt cold, they invented fire; when they got weary of walking, they invented wheels, and when they saw a land faraway, they invented boats. But what about land just across the stream? That’s how bridges came to be. Bridges are as old as human civilization.
Ancient cultures such as the Greeks and the Mycenaean built bridges to connect their cities and states. Today, bridges are an essential part of any country’s infrastructure. They connect, reduce traffic, and redirect it. But what about really long bridges? How long are the longest bridges in the world?
That’s what we will find out in this blog.
Ranking the 15 Longest Bridges in the World by Pure Structural Scale
We have researched and created a list of the world’s 15 longest bridges. So, what is the criterion for the ranking? There is only one criterion, largeness (length).
In this blog, we have ranked the bridges according to their length. And we will see how much it changes, affects, and upgrades the infrastructure.
| Rank | Bridge Name | Country | Year Completed | Length (mi) |
| 1 | Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge | China | 2010 | 102.4 |
| 2 | Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct | Taiwan | 2004 | 97.7 |
| 3 | Kita–Yaita Viaduct | Japan | 1982 | 71.1 |
| 4 | Tianjin Grand Bridge | China | 2010 | 70.6 |
| 5 | Cangde Grand Bridge | China | 2010 | 65.8 |
| 6 | Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge | China | 2008 | 49.6 |
| 7 | Burapha Withi Expressway (Bang Na) | Thailand | 2000 | 33.6 |
| 8 | Beijing Grand Bridge | China | 2010 | 29.9 |
| 9 | Metro Manila Skyway System | Philippines | 2021 | 24.4 |
| 10 | Lake Pontchartrain Causeway | United States | 1956 / 1969 | 23.9 |
| 11 | Line 1, Wuhan Metro Bridge | China | 2009 | 23.5 |
| 12 | Manchac Swamp Bridge | United States | 1979 | 22.8 |
| 13 | Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Skyway | Indonesia | 2019 | 22.6 |
| 14 | Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway | Kuwait | 2019 | 22.5 |
| 15 | Yangcun Bridge | China | 2007 | 22.3 |
1. Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge
China | 102.4 Miles
The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge is a true marvel of modern engineering. Located in China, it holds the Guinness World Record as the longest bridge in the world, stretching over 102 miles. It carries a high-speed railway across soft rice paddies, canals, and lakes. Thousands of workers spent four years building this massive structure to make travel faster and safer for millions of people every year. It is a stunning example of human achievement.
Significance: It enables high-speed trains to travel at 350 km/h. Thanks to the bridge, the Beijing-Shanghai journey is reduced from over 10 hours to about 4.5 hours. It boosts economic connectivity between eastern megacities. The bridge also facilitates freight and passenger movement across challenging terrain.
2. Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct
Taiwan | 97.7 miles
The Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct is one of the longest bridges in the world. Located in Taiwan, it stretches over 97 miles (157.3 km). It acts as a vital path for high-speed trains. Designers built it to be incredibly strong so it can survive large earthquakes. It ensures that people can travel safely between cities even during natural disasters. It is a brilliant design that keeps millions of commuters connected every single day.
Significance: This bridge had transported over 200 million passengers by 2012. It helped cut Taipei-Kaohsiung travel from 4-5 hours to about 1.5-2 hours. It enhances economic integration between northern and southern Taiwan. The bridge boosts tourism and commerce, minimizing land use on a densely populated island. It is an engineering resilience vital for disaster-prone Taiwan.
3. Kita–Yaita Viaduct
Japan | 71 miles
The Kita–Yaita Viaduct is a massive bridge located in Japan. It stretches for about 71 miles (114.4 km), making it one of the longest structures on Earth. The purpose of this bridge is to carry the Tohoku Shinkansen high-speed trains. Lifting the tracks high above the ground helps trains move quickly without disturbing local traffic or farms. It is a vital link that helps thousands of people reach their destinations on time.
Significance: The bridge is a vital link in the Tohoku Shinkansen network from Tokyo to Aomori. It drastically cuts travel times across eastern Japan, enabling efficient commuter and long-distance transport for millions of citizens. Completed decades before many of its Chinese counterparts, it underscores Japan’s pioneering role in high-speed rail innovation. The bridge improved the economic ties between urban centers and rural regions while minimizing land disruption in a densely populated nation.
4. Tianjin Grand Bridge
China | 70 miles
The Tianjin Grand Bridge is a remarkable structure in China. It is the fourth-longest bridge in the world, stretching over 70 miles. As a key part of the high-speed rail line between Beijing and Shanghai, it helps millions of people travel quickly and smoothly. By raising the tracks high above the ground, the bridge protects farmland and avoids busy city roads. It is a vital link for modern travel.
Significance: This fourth-longest bridge supports the vital Beijing-Shanghai corridor, reducing travel times. It enables passenger/freight volumes across a densely populated region of the country. It exemplifies China’s high-speed rail dominance, cutting environmental impact in cities like Tianjin (population 15 million), fostering economic growth, and advancing national infrastructure goals with investments like $20 billion for the network.
5. Cangde Grand Bridge
China | 65 miles
The Cangde Grand Bridge is a massive railway bridge located in China. It runs 65 miles as part of the famous high-speed line between Beijing and Shanghai. Engineers designed the bridge with over 3,000 sturdy piers to withstand the force of heavy trains and potential earthquakes. This clever design saves space on the ground. And it also allows farmers to continue their work underneath. It keeps travel fast, safe, and reliable.
Significance: The bridge enhances connectivity along the critical Beijing-Shanghai corridor, accelerating passenger and freight transport in a high-density economic zone. This structure advances China’s high-speed rail ambitions, reduces travel times, promotes regional development, and showcases engineering innovation. It is vital for urbanization and infrastructure leadership.
6. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge
China | 50 miles
The Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge is an incredible feat of engineering in China. It spans about 50 miles, crossing the Wei River twice. They designed it specifically for high-speed trains to connect major cities. Because it stays high above the ground, it leaves the natural landscape and local farms untouched. Thousands of commuters rely on this sturdy path every day to get home to their families quickly and safely.
Significance: It connects key central cities such as Zhengzhou and Xi’an, slashing travel times from hours to under two hours. It has boosted passenger and freight efficiency in a vital economic corridor. It demonstrates engineering scale for terrain-spanning infrastructure. The bridge supports urbanization and trade via the Eurasia Continental Bridge Passageway. The construction of the bridge also allowed China to meet its national connectivity goals.
7. Burapha Withi Expressway (Bang Na)
Thailand | 34 miles
The Burapha Withi Expressway is a famous elevated highway in Thailand. It stretches for 34 miles (55 km), ranking it among the longest bridges in the world. This six-lane road sits high above the busy Bang Na-Trat Highway. It helps drivers avoid heavy local traffic and move quickly between Bangkok and the eastern coast. It makes the journey much smoother for commuters by separating fast travel from local streets.
Significance: This structure alleviates severe traffic congestion in Bangkok, one of Asia’s most gridlocked cities. It enables faster freight and commuter travel between the capital and eastern industrial hubs such as Chonburi. It supports Thailand’s economic engine by linking manufacturing zones, ports, and tourism areas. The bridge reduces road wear on ground-level highways, exemplifying innovative infrastructure to spur Southeast regional development amid rapid urbanization.
8. Beijing Grand Bridge
China | 30 miles
The Beijing Grand Bridge is a massive railway viaduct in China. It runs for about 30 miles, serving as a starting point for the high-speed line to Shanghai. This bridge helps trains speed out of the busy city without getting stuck in traffic. The lifted tracks keep the land below open for parks and buildings. It is a vital part of daily life for thousands of travelers.
Significance: As part of the Beijing-Shanghai corridor, it enables rapid connectivity between the capital and eastern economic hubs. The bridge reduces travel times and handles millions of passengers annually. It bolsters China’s high-speed rail system. It also aids urbanization by preserving arable land. The bridge is a symbol of infrastructure investment, driving national growth and regional integration.
9. Metro Manila Skyway System
Philippines | 24 miles
The Metro Manila Skyway is a vital elevated highway in the Philippines. It stretches about 24 miles, connecting the northern and southern parts of the capital. This massive bridge floats above busy city streets, allowing drivers to skip the heavy traffic below. It has dramatically cut travel times, turning hours of waiting into just minutes of driving. It serves as a lifeline for millions of commuters and travelers every day.
Significance: It combats extreme traffic congestion in the world’s most gridlocked capital region. The bridge has dramatically reduced travel time between the North and South of the capital. It boosted connectivity for 13 million residents, including commuters. It is economically vital as it supports logistics, manufacturing, tourism, and airport access. The bridge also eases freight movement and reduces fuel costs/emissions.
10. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
USA | 24 miles
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is a renowned pair of parallel bridges in Louisiana. It stretches nearly 24 miles across open water, connecting the city of New Orleans to its northern neighbors. For a long time, it held the record as the longest bridge over water in the world. Driving across it feels like a grand adventure, as the land disappears from view for miles. It makes life much easier for local commuters.
Significance: This causeway provides the shortest fixed crossing of the large lake, cutting travel time between New Orleans’ urban core and Northshore communities. It supports daily commutes for tens of thousands amid Louisiana’s hurricane-prone environment. As an ASCE Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, it pioneered mass-production bridge techniques, boosts regional tourism/economy via efficient access to coastal areas, and exemplifies resilient infrastructure vital for Gulf Coast connectivity and disaster recovery.
11. Line 1, Wuhan Metro Bridge
China | 23 miles
Wuhan Metro’s Line 1 is a remarkable elevated railway in China. It stretches for about 23 miles, making it one of the longest continuous metro viaducts. Unlike underground subways, this bridge carries trains high above the busy city streets. It offers passengers spectacular views of the urban landscape while avoiding heavy traffic. The design of the bridge helps millions of people move across the city quickly and comfortably every day.
Significance: Integral to Wuhan’s expansive metro network (now over 500 km), it eases severe urban congestion for 12 million residents. The bridge links key districts like Hankou, Wuchang, and Hankou North Station. This bridge advances China’s rapid transit leadership, reduces road traffic/emissions, spurs economic activity in the Yangtze River hub, and supports national urbanization by providing efficient mass transport in megacities.
12. Manchac Swamp Bridge
USA | 23 miles
The Manchac Swamp Bridge is a twin concrete trestle bridge in Louisiana. It stretches for nearly 23 miles through thick, beautiful wetlands. When we talk about the longest bridges in the world, this is the longest one built over water. It carries drivers safely above deep swamp waters and cypress trees. Thousands of people use it every day to travel quickly across a landscape that would otherwise be impossible to cross by car.
Significance: It provides a critical, direct link between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, bypassing swamp detours and handling heavy commuter/freight traffic in a hurricane-vulnerable region. As Louisiana hosts four of America’s five longest bridges, this engineering feat supports Gulf Coast logistics, tourism, and economic resilience, reducing travel times and enabling reliable travel across vast wetlands essential for national supply chains.
13. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Skyway
Indonesia | 22 miles
The Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Skyway is an important elevated road located in Indonesia. It stretches for about 22 miles, running high above the busy highway between Jakarta and West Java. This clever design helps thousands of drivers avoid heavy traffic on the ground below. It is the longest flyover in the country and is built specifically for passenger cars. This bridge makes travel faster and more reliable for families and workers.
Significance: This skyway reduces congestion on the vital Jakarta–Cikampek corridor. It has become a critical route for over 30 million residents in the Greater Jakarta area, significantly reducing travel times for intercity trips to eastern Java destinations such as Cirebon and Surabaya. It enhances logistics between industrial hubs in Bekasi and Karawang, boosts economic productivity in Java’s manufacturing heartland, and supports national infrastructure goals for urbanization and traffic relief in the world’s fourth-most populous nation.
14. Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway
Kuwait | 22 miles
The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway is a massive bridge in Kuwait. It spans over 22 miles (36 km) across the sea, linking Kuwait City to a new urban area. This shortcut turns a long, 70-minute drive into a quick 20-minute trip. By crossing the bay, the bridge brings people closer together, helping the city grow. This exquisite landmark showcases how thoughtful and innovative design enhances our daily lives.
Significance: This landmark links the capital to the northern development zones of Subiyah New Town and Silk City. It reduces the travel times from 90 minutes to 20 minutes, easing port congestion at Shuwaikh. It promotes economic diversification beyond oil by fostering industrial growth, boosting tourism on artificial islands, and enhancing freight and passenger flow, highlighting Kuwait’s infrastructure in relation to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
15. Yangcun Bridge
China | 22 miles
Lastly, on the list of the longest bridges in the world, the Yangcun Bridge is a vital railway bridge located in China. Completed in 2008, it stretches for 22 miles. As a key part of the high-speed rail network, it allows trains to travel at incredible speeds between major cities. This elevated design helps the tracks stay flat and level, allowing them to pass over various obstacles on the ground. It ensures that thousands of passengers enjoy a smooth and safe journey.
Significance: It forms a crucial segment of the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed link, reducing travel between the capital and Tianjin from over an hour to 30 minutes. The bridge serves millions in a key economic corridor. This bridge exemplifies China’s early high-speed rail expansion. It enhances commuter efficiency, freight logistics, and regional integration while minimizing land use in densely populated zones.
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The Longest Bridges in the World and Their Long-lasting Impact
Bridges serve as essential infrastructure that connect divided landscapes, enabling the efficient movement of people, goods, and services.
Their construction and maintenance generate widespread economic and social benefits across communities and nations.
- Boost economic growth: Facilitate trade by linking factories, markets, and ports, reducing shipping costs, and creating jobs during building and upkeep.
- Reduce travel time and congestion: Provide direct routes over obstacles like rivers or valleys, cutting commute durations and fuel use while easing traffic in urban areas.
- Enhance safety: Offer secure crossings for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, minimizing accidents at natural barriers or busy highways.
- Promote regional connectivity: Unite rural and urban zones, spurring tourism, commerce, and access to education/healthcare for isolated populations.
- Support disaster resilience: Enable quick evacuations, aid delivery, and recovery by maintaining vital links during floods or earthquakes.
- Drive social integration: Foster cultural exchange and community cohesion by shortening distances between diverse groups.
- Lower environmental impact: Optimize routes to decrease emissions from detours and support efficient logistics over sprawling terrains.
Conclusion
The longest bridges in the world show how far we have come in connecting our world. Whether they cross deep swamps or busy cities, each bridge represents a triumph of hard work and clever planning. They turn long and difficult journeys into simple trips, helping us spend less time traveling and more time with the people we love.
As technology improves, these landmarks will continue to serve as the backbone of modern life. Every bridge we build creates a new path for growth. It brings distant communities closer together. They are more than just concrete and steel; they are vital links that keep our busy world moving forward safely every single day.
FAQs
1. Why are many of these bridges built so high up?
Building bridges as “viaducts” keeps the ground below clear. This allows farmers to keep planting crops and lets local traffic flow normally. It also provides a flat, straight path that is perfect for very fast trains.
2. Which is the longest bridge over water?
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana held this record for decades. However, the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge and the Sheikh Jaber Causeway are now also among the longest, using massive spans to cross miles of open sea.
3. Are the longest bridges in the world safe during earthquakes?
Yes, engineers design them with special flexible joints and strong pillars. For example, the Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct in Taiwan is specifically built to withstand massive tremors, keeping passengers safe even during natural disasters.
