World’s Tallest Bridge Opens This September – China Huajiang Grand Canyon

Guizhou, China - September, 2025 - China is preparing to unveil another record-breaking feat of engineering with the opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, located in Guizhou Province. Expected to officially open to traffic by the end of September 2025, this landmark project is set to transform transportation and connectivity in the region while setting a new global benchmark in bridge construction.

Rising 625 meters (2,051 feet) above the canyon floor, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will hold the title of highest bridge in the world, towering twice as high as the Eiffel Tower and six times taller than the Statue of Liberty. This extraordinary height cements its place among the world’s most daring and ambitious infrastructure projects.

A Record-Breaking Design

Spanning a total length of 2,890 meters (2.89 km), including its approaches, the bridge features a main suspended span of 1,420 meters supported by two massive pylons. One pylon stands at approximately 262 meters, while the other rises to 205 meters, both anchored firmly into the rugged canyon terrain.

The bridge employs a hybrid suspension and steel truss design, with nearly 22,000 metric tons of steel trusses forming the load-bearing pathway. It accommodates four lanes of highway traffic, along with pedestrian walkways and tourist-friendly features such as glass-bottom paths and elevated viewing platforms.

Construction began on January 18, 2022, and required three and a half years of complex engineering and construction efforts in one of China’s most challenging geographies. The total investment for the project is around USD 280 million (2.1 billion RMB).

In August 2025, the bridge passed a rigorous five-day load test, during which fleets of heavy trucks were deployed to simulate real-world conditions. The test confirmed the structure’s safety and readiness for public use.

Key Engineering Innovations

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge combines cutting-edge engineering and innovative safety systems:

• Hybrid Suspension System: Designed for maximum stability under extreme conditions, balancing weight distribution and load-bearing capacity.
• Wind & Temperature Resistance: Located between the Yunnan Plateau and Lower Yangtze Valley Plain, the area experiences strong valley winds and dramatic temperature swings. Advanced calculations and monitoring systems ensure resilience against these forces.
• Vertical Access Technology: Construction crews relied on Alimak SC 65/32 rack-and-pinion hoists to move workers and materials up and down the vertical drop, with custom modifications for safety, including solar-powered anemometers for wind tracking.
• Material Durability: Specialized steel and coatings were used to combat thermal expansion and long-term fatigue, ensuring decades of reliable performance.

Transforming Travel and Daily Life

Once operational, the bridge will drastically reduce travel times across the canyon. Journeys that previously took up to 70 minutes — and in some rural routes, even two hours — will be cut to just one to two minutes.

This dramatic improvement will benefit hundreds of thousands of people in surrounding communities by:

• Providing faster access to jobs, healthcare, and education.
• Connecting remote villages to larger economic hubs.
• Supporting regional supply chains and local businesses.

By linking sections of the Guizhou S57 Liuzhi–Anlong Expressway, the bridge will serve as a vital artery for trade and transportation.

Tourism Destination in the Sky

Beyond its role as an infrastructure marvel, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is expected to become a major tourism attraction.

Key features include:

• Glass-bottom pedestrian paths offering breathtaking views.
• Viewing towers and observation platforms for sightseeing.
• Plans for cafés, rest areas, and even a “Stargazing Bar & Café” built around one of the pylons.
• A possible elevator inside a pylon, giving visitors a vertical ride to the canyon floor.

This dual purpose of transportation and tourism aligns with Guizhou Province’s strategy to boost rural tourism and generate sustainable economic growth.

Engineering Challenges and Triumphs

Building the world’s tallest bridge was no small feat. The project faced immense logistical and environmental challenges, including:

• Karst topography with vertical cliffs and unstable terrain.
• Powerful valley winds and convective weather that complicated construction.
• Temperature fluctuations that tested the limits of materials and structures.

To address these, engineers integrated advanced sensors and monitoring systems throughout the bridge to track conditions in real time. Every stage of construction was meticulously planned to ensure safety and efficiency.

A New Global Landmark

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is more than a transportation project, it is a symbol of progress and innovation. It represents China’s ambition to connect remote regions with modern infrastructure while also creating an iconic global destination.

When it officially opens at the end of September 2025, it will surpass all previous record holders in deck height and redefine what is possible in bridge construction. By blending engineering brilliance with cultural and economic significance, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is set to become one of the world’s most celebrated landmarks.