Buzz
If you're prone to gephyrophobia, you might want to skip this one. We're diving into the longest bridge in the world, and if you have a fear of these monumental spans, prepare for some unease. (Alternatively, this could serve as your list of places to avoid.)
Bridges are feats of modern engineering, extending over bodies of water. They can range from just a few dozen feet to several miles, making it possible to cross from one point to another without needing a boat. Some are suspension bridges, elegant webs of wire and steel, while others are built in segments, offering support throughout the structure. When pondering the title of 'longest bridge,' it's important to think about the type of bridge being considered.
The Guinness Book of World Records faced a bit of a semantic dilemma in 2011 when China completed the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, or Qingdao Haiwan Bridge, close to the Shandong Peninsula. This bridge stretches an impressive 26.4 miles and is supported by 5,200 pillars. After taking four years to build, it surpassed the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana by over two miles, earning its spot as the new record holder. Built to withstand both earthquakes and typhoons, this is one remarkable structure.
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway still holds significance, stretching 23.8 miles across uninterrupted water. In contrast, the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge incorporates sea tunnels in certain sections and features multiple lanes. As a result, Guinness labels the Jiaozhou as the largest 'aggregate' bridge globally, while the Causeway remains recognized as the longest bridge spanning continuous water.
Those figures are certainly impressive, but if bridges aren't strictly required to cross water, the longest bridge could be China's Dayang-Kunshan Grand Bridge. Part of a high-speed rail system, it stretches a massive 104.2 miles, connecting Shanghai and Nanjing by train.
If a bridge's length, or lack of support, is what truly impresses—or terrifies—you, then consider the Pearl Bridge in Kobe, Japan. The central portion of this 2.4-mile bridge has a 1.237-mile span with no support underneath.
Of course, length doesn't always equate to fear factor. If your fascination with the longest bridge revolves around the scariest one, then you might want to steer clear of Russia's Kuandinsky Bridge. Narrower than a car and lacking guardrails, it's more like a thrill ride, though it’s off-limits to the public—leaving only the bravest souls to attempt crossing it.
