China and Hong Kong crossed a major divide this week thanks to a new record-breaking bridge.
It could still be another three years until the 34-mile Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is open to traffic – no tarmac has yet been laid – but major construction work has now been completed on what will be the world’s longest cross-sea bridge.
The clumsily named Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is a record breaker
Severn Bridge, UK
Upon opening the Severn Bridge in 1966, Queen Elizabeth II heralded a new era for the economy of South Wales – she clearly hadn’t envisaged the subsequent collapse of the region’s mining industry. The Grade I listed bridge replaced the antiquated Aust Ferry and carried the M4 until 1996 when the superior Second Severn Crossing opened.
The Severn Bridge turns 50 years old in 2016
The Humber Bridge, UK
When it opened in 1981, the Humber Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world (it’s since been relegated to eighth in the world standings, though it remains the largest of its kind in Britain). Bit of trivia for you: according to Visit Grimsby, the bridge contains enough steel wire to stretch around the Earth one and a half times.
The Humber Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Britain
Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge, China
It probably comes as no surprise that the longest bridge in the world is in China, a country home to a 5,500-mile wall. The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge is far from beautiful, but the scale is impressive: the viaduct traverses rice paddies, lakes and rives for 102 miles.
Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Japan
When two ferries sunk in the Akashi Strait in 1955, killing 168 people, public outrage convinced the Japanese government to build a bridge over the notoriously dangerous waterway. It took 40 odd years for the bridge to be realised, but what a bridge it is: at 3,911m this impressive structure has the longest central span of any suspension bridge in the world.
This bridge was actually borne out of tragedy
Millau Viaduct, France
You’ll need a head for heights if you’re crossing the Millau Viaduct: measuring 343m from top to bottom this lofty structure in southern France is taller than the Eiffel Tower and lays claim to being the tallest bridge in the world. Designed by British Architect, Norman Foster, it opened in 2004 and clinched the Outstanding Structure Award in 2006.
Runners compete in a race across France's Millau Viaduct
Somerset Bridge, Bermuda
Dating back to 1620, Somerset Bridge is the world’s smallest working drawbridge, and provides just enough clearance for the mast of a small vessel. The feted crossing is a source of national pride, appearing on the reverse of Bermuda’s five dollar note.
Swinford Toll Bridge, UK
If there was an award for the quaintest bridge in the world, the Swinford Toll Bridge would probably clinch it. Crossing the River Thames in Oxfordshire, this pretty Georgian structure is privately owned and charges motorists a measly 5p to cross it. An estimated 10,000 motorists use the bridge daily, and while the toll is low, most want it scrapped: collecting the money causes significant tailbacks.
You'll have to dip your hand in your pocket to cross this Oxfordshire bridge
Golden Gate Bridge, US
This iconic suspension bridge has featured in countless films and even starred in one: The Bridge, which, morbidly, was about people who throw themselves off it. As well as being one of the most photographed viaducts on the planet, the iconic red bridge has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Eshima Ohashi, Japan
Dubbed the “Rollercoaster Bridge”, you’ll need plenty of horsepower to get your car over the Eshima Ohashi viaduct, which climbs steeply as it crosses Nakaumi lake.
Royal Gorge Bridge, US
America’s highest suspension bridge, this vertiginous viaduct spans a rugged, 91m-high gorge in Colorado and offers epic views of the Arkansas River below. Opened in 1929, the bridge it not just a means of crossing the gorge: it has also become something of a tourist attraction.
Sidu River Bridge, China
Spanning a verdant, 500m-deep valley in China’s Hubei Province, the Sid River Bridge is the world’s highest (not to be confused with tallest). Built for a reported $100m, which seems remarkable value for money, it opened for traffic in 2009.
Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, China
China also lays claim to the world’s longest sea bridge, which, at 26.4 miles long, could easily span the English Channel. Stretching across the wide blue waters of Jiaozhou bay, the vast Y-shaped bridge was built in just four years at a cost, reported by the Chinese state media, as £1.42 billion.
This bridge in China is long enough to span the English Channel
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, US
The world's longest bridge outside of Asia, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in southern Louisiana is an epic, 24 mile-long structure that crosses one of the most famous bodies of water in the US; a lake that has inspired literature, music and film.
This causeway is the world's longest bridge outside of Asia
The Vasco da Gama Bridge, Portugal
Portugal’s Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts) at 10.7 miles (17.2 km). Named after the famous Portuguese explorer, who was the first European to reach India by sea, this vast cable-stayed bridge spans the Tagus River near Lisbon.
This epic bridge takes its name from a famous Portuguese explorer
Pons Fabricius, Italy
Still standing after all these centuries, the Pons Fabricius (or Ponte dei Quattro Capi) in Rome was built in 62 BC making it the oldest bridge in the world.
Pons Fabricius is thought to be the oldest bridge in the world
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia
Nickname “The Coathanger”, Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with the neighbouring Opera House, is one of the most iconic structures in Australia. It hosts an epic fireworks display annually, to bring in the New Year, which is televised around the world.
Forth Bridge, UK
A Unesco World Heritage, this iconic Scottish structure spans the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh. The cantilever railway bridge opened in 1890 and was rightly considered one of the UK’s greatest engineering feats.
A source of much pride for the Scots, the Forth Bridge is Unesco listed
Tower Bridge, UK
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, so Britain should be thrilled that China has built its own version of London’s feted Tower Bridge. There’s nothing quite like the original, though, which opened in 1894 and has become an icon of the capital.
Ponte Vecchio, Italy
This pretty medieval bridge in Florence is much like the bridges of yore in that has shops built along it, as was once common. Butchers initially occupied these shops, but today the premises are occupied by souvenir sellers, who ply their trade above the Arno River.
Ponte Vecchio is a reminder of how most bridges used to look
Lakshman Jhula, INDIA
Lakshman Jhula is an iron suspension bridge across the river Ganges, located 5 kilometres north-east from the town Rishikesh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The bridge connects the two villages; Tapovan in Tehri Garhwal district to Jonk in Pauri Garhwal district crossing the river from west to east. However it is near to the Rishikesh city thus creating ambiguity in its location, the bridge is one of the iconic landmarks of Rishikesh.
Howrah Bridge, INDIA
The Howrah Bridge is one of the most recognised landmarks in Kolkata. Connecting Kolkata with its neighbouring industrial city of Howrah over the Hooghly river, the bridge will celebrate its 75th birthday next year.
The construction of the Howrah Bridge was first proposed in 1862. The Government of Bengal wanted to build a bridge over the Hooghly River. They asked the Chief Engineer of the East India Railway Company to study the feasibility of the idea and come up with a proposal. But for several reasons, his proposal never materialised.
Khaju Bridge, Iran
Built in the 17th century by Shah Abbas II, this exquisite bridge in Isfahan also serves as a dam, with sluice gates under the archways. The Khoju Bridge has two stories of arcades, which are marked by distinctive arches decorated with colored tiles.
