World's highest bridge: A technological miracle amidst 'crack in the Earth'

Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge – the world's highest bridge – spans a "crack in the Earth" in Guizhou, China, demonstrating a technological feat amidst majestic nature. (Source: AFP)

On October 1, China officially put into use the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province – the project currently holds the record for the highest bridge in the world, with a height of 625 meters from the bridge deck to the ground. This suspension bridge is not only a symbol of modern construction techniques but also a testament to China's superior capacity in the field of transport infrastructure.

The 2,980-meter-long bridge connects Liuzhi and Anlong, spanning the Huajiang Gorge – dubbed the “crack in the Earth”. Thanks to this project, the travel time between the two areas is shortened from one hour to just 90 seconds of driving, opening up opportunities for economic and tourism development in the rugged mountainous region.

Professor Mamdouh El-Badry, a civil engineering expert at the University of Calgary (Canada), commented: "In other parts of the world, a project of this scale usually takes 5 to 10 years to complete. China's completion of the Huajiang Bridge in less than 4 years is an amazing feat."

Cross-section diagram of Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge – a testament to super-high suspension technology, overcoming difficult terrain with a cable system and towers that optimize load and durability. (Source: HighestBridges)

Technological miracle

One of the technological highlights is the use of steel cables with a strength of up to 2,000 megapascals – much higher than the usual standard. This is a key factor in helping the structure withstand strong winds, earthquakes and heavy loads at record heights.

In addition, the automatic cable pulling system is capable of adjusting tension in real time, helping to increase stability and reduce errors during installation. The construction process uses satellite positioning and drones, ensuring millimeter accuracy at an altitude of more than 600 meters. Thanks to that, the entire project was completed in less than 3 years - a feat in the suspension bridge construction industry.

Before officially opening, the bridge underwent static and dynamic load tests with a total of 96 trucks weighing more than 3,300 tons. Sensors were installed throughout the bridge to monitor tension and pressure under real-world traffic conditions.

Huajiang Bridge is equipped with more than 400 sensors distributed on the bridge deck, towers, cables and suspension beams. These sensors continuously record data on vibration, pressure, temperature and humidity, helping to detect abnormalities early and support proactive maintenance.

The bridge integrates 2,000 MPa super-durable steel cables and an automatic cable pulling system, combining satellite positioning and drones to ensure absolute accuracy at an altitude of more than 600 meters. (Source: ZME Science)

Symbol of sustainable development

“The Huajiang Bridge is not just a transportation project, but also a testament to China’s remarkable ability to push the limits of global engineering,” said Andres Castro, infrastructure editor at Miami Daily.

Not only a transportation facility, Huajiang Bridge also integrates a glass walkway for pedestrians, bungee jumping, paragliding, a cafe on the sky and a 207-meter-high observation elevator. Visitors can experience the feeling of “walking through the clouds” above the Beipan River – one of the rare experiences in the world.

Instead of using imported materials, the engineers took advantage of local dolomite rock, saving about 5 million yuan (~700,000 USD). This is a testament to sustainable construction thinking, turning terrain challenges into opportunities for economic and tourism development.