What is the world's longest suspension bridge?

Suspension bridges, with their towering supports and graceful spans, are not just engineering marvels. Even those that don’t hold the title of 'longest suspension bridge in the world' stand as powerful symbols of human creativity and determination.

Massive suspension bridges like Japan’s Akashi Kaikyo and Türkiye’s 1915 Çanakkale Bridge stretch across vast bodies of water, linking different lands and cultures. Each of the longest suspension bridges in the world, remarkable in its own way, represents the peak of architectural achievement.

This list showcases the longest main spans of suspension bridges worldwide, focusing on the central spans where the true engineering innovation occurs, rather than the total length of the bridges.

1. 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, Turkey

Stretching across the historic Dardanelles Strait in northwestern Turkey, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge has become a symbol of national pride. Officially the longest suspension bridge in the world, its main span reaches an extraordinary 2,023 meters (6,637 feet).

Not only does this engineering wonder hold the record for its length, but it is also the tallest bridge in Turkey, with towers soaring to an impressive 334 meters (1,096 feet).

The bridge's construction began in March 2017 and was completed in March 2022. Though initially scheduled to finish in 2023, it was completed ahead of time.

The Çanakkale Bridge stands as a symbol of unity, connecting the European and Asian regions of Turkey, while also honoring a significant Ottoman naval victory during World War I, a tribute reflected in its name.

According to President Erdoğan, the bridge's construction cost around 2.5 billion euros (roughly 2.7 billion U.S. dollars). However, it is expected to generate substantial savings annually in fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

2. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Japan

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is an essential link between Iwaya on Awaji Island and Kobe on Honshu Island. Completed in 1998, this Japanese suspension bridge crosses the Akashi Strait, a heavily trafficked waterway known for its harsh weather conditions.

With its central span measuring 1,991 meters (6,532 feet), the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge held the title of the longest suspension bridge in the world until it was surpassed by the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey in 2022.

The concept for the bridge originated from the tragic events of the Sekirei Maru sinking in 1945 and the Shiun Maru disaster a decade later. These disasters highlighted the pressing need for a reliable, permanent connection across the Akashi Strait.

Construction of the bridge began in April 1988, with an initial design for a combined railway and road bridge, which was later revised to a six-lane road bridge.

The building process, which involved over 100 contractors, became a remarkable demonstration of resilience, especially after the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995. Despite the earthquake shifting the bridge's towers, no significant damage occurred thanks to its anti-seismic design.

3. Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge, China

The Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which opened to traffic in October 2019, is the longest suspension bridge in the country and the third longest in the world. It spans 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) across the famous Yangtze River.

The bridge is renowned for having the longest double-deck span in the world, allowing for various types of transportation to flow across its two levels.

Connecting the Hanyang and Wuchang districts, the bridge's upper deck offers six lanes for motor vehicles, seamlessly integrated with the expressway network. Pedestrian walkways run along both sides. Below, the lower deck provides four more lanes for cars, as well as pedestrian paths and lanes for non-motorized transport.

4. Nansha Bridge East, China

The Nansha Bridge in Guangdong, China, is a pair of suspension bridges that span the Pearl River. These crucial bridges are key components of the Pearl River Delta expressway system, linking Shatian Town in Dongguan to the Nansha District in Guangzhou.

Serving as an integral part of the region's transportation network, the Nansha Bridge also marks the starting point for the Guangzhou–Longchuan Expressway.

Opened to traffic on April 2, 2019, the Nansha Bridge exemplifies China's advanced bridge-building capabilities. The bridge spans an impressive 12,891 meters (42,293 feet), with the Nizhou Waterway Bridge's longest span reaching 1,688 meters (5,538 feet).

With a remarkable width of 54 meters (177 feet), the bridge accommodates numerous lanes of traffic, significantly enhancing the area's connectivity and overall transportation efficiency.

5. Xihoumen Bridge, China

The Xihoumen Bridge in China is a suspension bridge situated within the Zhoushan Archipelago. As part of a major bridging project that began in 1999, it connects Jintang and Cezi islands alongside the Jintang Bridge, playing a pivotal role in linking the Zhoushan Archipelago with the Chinese mainland.

Serving as a vital part of the Yongzhou Expressway, the bridge holds strategic importance in strengthening regional connectivity.

The construction of the Xihoumen Bridge, undertaken by the Zhejiang province, was completed at an estimated cost of 2.48 billion yuan (about 363 million U.S. dollars). Work on the bridge began in 2005, and the main span was finished by December 2007.

On December 25, 2009, the Xihoumen Bridge was officially opened to traffic on a trial basis. This marked a key achievement in China's infrastructure, although its opening was slightly delayed after a ship collision damaged the nearby Jintang Bridge​​.

The Xihoumen Bridge boasts a central span that stretches 1,650 meters (5,413 feet), ranking it among the longest suspension bridges in the world at the time of its completion.

6. Great Belt Bridge East (Storebaelt), Denmark

The Great Belt Bridge, also referred to as the East Bridge, crosses the Great Belt strait in Denmark, linking the islands of Zealand and Funen. It serves as a vital component of Denmark's transportation infrastructure.

The suspension bridge segment of this vast multi-element fixed link spans a total length of 6,790 meters (22,277 feet), with a central span measuring 1,624 meters (5,328 feet). This places it as the world's sixth longest main span — for the time being.

The bridge's design was the work of Danish firms COWI, Ramboll, and the architecture firm Dissing+Weitling. Construction took place between 1991 and 1998, executed by a consortium that included companies like Hochtief, Skanska, Højgaard & Schultz, and Monberg & Thorsen.

In 1988, the total cost of the project was estimated at 21.4 billion Danish krone (about 310 million U.S. dollars), making it the largest construction project in Denmark's history up to that point.

The Great Belt Bridge not only replaced the Great Belt ferry services, drastically reducing travel time across the strait, but it also, along with the Øresund Bridge and the Little Belt Bridge, provided a direct road route from mainland Europe to Sweden through Denmark​​.

7. Osman Gazi Bridge, Türkiye

The Osman Gazi Bridge, also known as the İzmit Bay Bridge, is a remarkable suspension bridge that spans the Gulf of İzmit in Türkiye. As part of the O-5 motorway, it links the city of Gebze with the Yalova Province, greatly reducing travel time in the region.

Inaugurated on July 1, 2016, the Osman Gazi Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in Türkiye and the fourth longest in the world at the time, with its central span measuring 1,550 meters (5,090 feet).

The construction of this colossal bridge was a joint effort by five Turkish companies and the Italian firm Astaldi, following a tender in April 2009. The total project cost was estimated at 11 billion Turkish lira, marking a significant investment in the country's infrastructure.

By shortening the distance between Istanbul and İzmir by approximately 140 kilometers (87 miles), the Osman Gazi Bridge bypassed the lengthy route around the Gulf of İzmit, reducing travel time between these two major cities from six hours to just about five.

The bridge is equipped with three lanes of traffic in each direction, improving connectivity and ensuring smoother transportation flow across the region.

8. Yi Sun-sin Bridge, South Korea

Located in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, the Yi Sun-sin Bridge is an essential link to the Yeosu Industrial Complex. The bridge honors the legendary Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin, celebrated for his naval expertise, merging historical reverence with contemporary design.

Since its completion in 2012, the Yi Sun-sin Bridge has held the title of the eighth longest suspension bridge in the world, with its central span reaching 1,545 meters (5,069 feet). It connects Gwangyang with the small island of Myodo-dong.

The bridge was designed by Yooshin Engineering Corporation and built by Daelim Industrial Company, marking a significant milestone in South Korean engineering. This was one of the country's first major suspension bridge projects fully handled by a domestic company.

In 2013, the Yi Sun-sin Bridge was nominated for the Outstanding Structure Award, further solidifying its reputation as an engineering masterpiece and a source of national pride and achievement​​.

9. Runyang Yangtze River Bridge, China

The Runyang Yangtze River Bridge is a remarkable bridge complex in Jiangsu Province, China, spanning the Yangtze River just south of Nanjing. It connects Zhenjiang on the southern bank with Yangzhou on the northern bank. As a vital segment of the Yangzhou–Liyang Expressway, it plays a crucial role in the region’s transportation system.

Construction of the bridge complex began in October 2000, and like several other bridges on this list, it was completed ahead of schedule, officially opening on April 30, 2005.

The entire bridge complex cost approximately 5.8 billion yuan (about 700 million U.S. dollars) to build, and it stretches a total length of about 35.66 kilometers (22.16 miles). The main span of the bridge is an impressive 1,490 meters (4,889 feet).

Prior to the completion of the bridge, a ferry service operated throughout the day as the primary means of crossing the Yangtze River, taking roughly 40 minutes to travel from Yangzhou to Zhenjiang Railway Station. Even after the bridge’s opening, ferry services continue to offer an alternative route, which some locals still consider a quicker way to access the city centers of Zhenjiang and Yangzhou​​.

10. Hangrui Dongting Bridge, China

The Hangrui Dongting Bridge, which spans Dongting Lake in Yueyang, northeastern Hunan Province, China, is an extraordinary achievement in engineering. This impressive bridge is a vital link in the region’s infrastructure.

One of the bridge's groundbreaking features is its use of cable dampers that employ magnetorheological fluid. This fluid changes its viscosity when subjected to an electromagnetic field. The bridge, which offers four lanes of traffic—two lanes in each direction—greatly enhances regional connectivity and eases transportation.

The bridge's design includes a cable-stayed section supported by three towers, each anchoring center spans that are 310 meters (1,017 feet) long. Additionally, two side spans each stretch 130 meters (427 feet). The total length of the bridge is 1,480 meters (4,856 feet).