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The construction of the world’s tallest bridge takes shape as the expected completion time is set in stone. This incredible new bridge has a designed height of 2,051 feet or 625 meters between the bridge deck and the Beipanjiang River. It is set to be the world’s highest when completed and is a marvel of modern engineering. This river is the only waterway in the world now with three successive world’s highest bridge records. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in the Guizhou Province in southwestern China began construction in 2021.
The project has progressed steadily and is set for completion in June 2025. The bridge’s main structure is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with the bridge set to open in early 2025. In October 2023, the last central tower was completed, which took over 670 days to progress from the construction of the pile foundation to the capping of the main towers, according to its project manager, Wang Chaoguo. At 2,890 meters long, Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge’s longest span stretches 1,420 meters.
The Significance of the World’s Tallest Bridge Once Completed
Once completed, the world’s tallest bridge is expected to revolutionize the transportation sector of various provinces in China. It will form part of the expressway linking the Liuzhi special district of Liupanshui City to the Anlong County of Bouyei-Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Qianxinan in the Guizhou Province. Furthermore, it will significantly reduce the canyon’s crossing time from 70 minutes to just one. It will also help boost local social and economic development, rural revitalization, and tourism.The world’s tallest bridge is also expected to make China a modern engineering marvel as it adds another significant project to its list. In May, pictures showed the deputy project manager, Wang Songyu, climbing onto the catwalk at least once a day to check on the supporting conditions of the cables at a height of about two Eiffel Towers. The estimated project cost remains elusive and does not appear to have been publicly disclosed. Currently, China holds a record as it has some of the world’s tallest, longest, and highest bridges. Besides bridges, China has become a pioneer in different sectors of the construction industry, such as roads, buildings, and even energy projects.
The Challenges Facing the Mega Construction Project
Distinctive challenges were faced in designing and constructing the world’s tallest bridge, including the fact that it is being built in a plateau region. These regions have intense atmospheric temperature differences between day and night, leading to the likelihood of severe convective weather and consistent valley winds throughout the year. In the initial stages of project investment, Alimak notes it was aware of these hydrological environments. The contracted company provided comprehensive wind calculation reports and installed a solar energy-powered anemometer that connects wirelessly with their control system ALC. This facilitates professionally addressing these specific challenges. The strategic integration of an anemometer is pivotal in ensuring operational safety. Furthermore, Alimak notes that the project demands expertise and a robust design, particularly for higher wind speeds and an extended mast tie requirement. This specialized tie is crucial due to specific considerations. |
