The Ten Longest Suspension Bridges in the World, with Many Bridges from China and the First Opening in 1998
Introduction: Suspension bridges have evolved from ancient vine and bamboo suspension bridges, and the main span length is a parameter used to compare the design and construction size of suspension bridges. So, what are the world’s ten longest suspension bridges in terms of main span length? This article will list the top ten longest main span suspension bridges in the world for you to learn more about.
Ten Longest Suspension Bridges in the World
- Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
This bridge, which is 3910 meters long and has a main bridge length of about 1990 meters, is one of the top ten bridges in the world. It connects Kobe City and Awaji Island in Japan, and was officially started in 1988 and opened for operation in 1998. The bridge has night lighting settings in multiple locations, creating a good nighttime landscape.
2. Wuhan Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge
This bridge, with a total length of 4134.377 meters, is the first double-deck highway bridge on the Yangtze River. It was built in December 2014 and officially opened for operation in 2019. It is located in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, connecting the Hankou and Wuchang districts. The main bridge is 1700 meters long and has become a popular tourist spot in Wuhan because of its beautiful colors.
3. Nansha Bridge
This world-class bridge has a total length of 12.891 kilometers and connects Nansha District of Guangzhou City with Shatian Town of Dongwan City. It is a part of the Guangzhou-Longchuan Expressway, and the eight-lane expressway is 40.5 meters wide with a main bridge length of 1688 meters.
4. Xihoumen Bridge
This cross-sea bridge located in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, is an important part of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Expressway. It was officially started in 2005 and fully opened in December 2009. It connects Mudo Line and Jinshan Road and spans the Xihoumen waterway. The total length of the route is about 5.5 kilometers, and the length of the bridge is about 2.6 kilometers.
5. Great Belt Bridge
This bridge, also known as the Storebaelt Bridge, is about 17.5 kilometers long and fully opened in June 1997. It connects the West Zealand and Funen Islands in Denmark, and is named after the Great Belt Strait it spans. It is mainly composed of the West Bridge, East Bridge, and undersea tunnel, with a main bridge length of about 1624 meters.
6. Osman Gazi Bridge
The Osman Gazi Bridge is a suspension bridge located in the Gulf of Izmit, Turkey, and was fully opened in 2016. It connects Gebze and Yalova provinces across the Izmit Bay. The bridge is 2682 meters long, and the main span length is 1550 meters. The construction of this bridge has shortened the transportation distance between the two places by approximately 140 kilometers.
7. Li Shunshen Bridge
Li Shunshen Bridge is a bridge project located within the territory of South Korea. It was completed in 2013 and connects the cities of Gwangyang and Yeosu. It is one of the main roads leading to the Yeosu Industrial Park. The bridge has a main span length of 1545 meters and its location was in the main battle area of the Battle of Noryang, a significant naval engagement during the Imjin War in 1598.
8. Runyang Yangtze River Bridge
This bridge project is a critical component of the Yangtze River Crossing plan that started construction in 2000 and was officially opened in 2005. The bridge is designed with a two-way six-lane highway, with a total length of approximately 35.66 kilometers, and the main bridge has a length of about 1.49 kilometers. It connects the cities of Zhenjiang and Yangzhou.
9. Hangrui Expressway Dongting Lake Bridge
This bridge project started construction in October 2013 and was officially opened in February 2018. It is an important part of the national expressway G56 in Hunan province, with a total length of approximately 23 kilometers. The main bridge is about 1.48 kilometers long and 33.5 meters wide. An observation elevator is built on the main tower of the bridge, and an observation deck is located on the top of the tower.
10. Nanjing Qixia Mountain Yangtze River Bridge
This bridge is one of the five bridges and tunnels across the Yangtze River in Nanjing city, China. It is known as “China’s Golden Gate Bridge” due to its similarity in appearance to the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Construction of the bridge started in 2008 and was officially opened in 2012. The total length of the bridge is approximately 29 kilometers, and the main bridge is about 1418 meters long.
