Suspension bridges are marvels of engineering and have been around for more than six centuries. In this article we take a look at the ten longest suspension bridges in the world.
10 Longest Suspension Bridges In The World
10. Yangluo Bridge
The Yangluo suspension bridge in China has a span of 1.28 kilometres (4,200 feet) and this makes it tie with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge for being the ninth longest suspension bridge on the planet.
9. Golden Gate Bridge
This is quite easily the most beautiful and most recognized suspension bridge in the list. The Golden Gate Bridge spans the opening of the Francisco Bay into the largest ocean in the world, the Pacific Ocean. With a length of 1,280 metres, the bridge has been declared by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the modern wonders of the world.
8. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge serves as an important link between the local and the national highway grid. This suspension bridge has served as the start point for the New York City marathon for the last 36 years. The bridge also serves as a gateway to the harbour in New York. All kinds of container ships and cruise ships which arrive at the ports of New York and New Jersey pass right under the bridge and they are specifically built in such a way that they are able to pass with adequate clearance under the bridge. It has a centre span of 1,298 metres (4,260 feet).
7. Tsing Ma Bridge
This suspension bridge was named after the islands of Tsing Yi and Ma Wan, which are located at the end of it. The double-decker bridge carries road as well rail traffic and this makes it the largest bridge of its kind anywhere in the world. The bridge has a main span of 1,377 metres (4,518 ft).
6. Jiangyin Suspension Bridge
The Jiangyin suspension bridge provides the link between the two of China’s rapidly expanding cities, Jingjiang and Jiangyin. With a span of 1.38km (4,545ft) this suspension bridge is the sixth longest of its kind in the world.
5. Humber Bridge
The Humber Bridge, which is located near Kingston (Hull) in England, is a single span structure with a length of 2.2km (7,283ft) which was opened on June 24, 1981. It is the fifth longest suspension bridge on earth.
4. Runyang Bridge
The Runyang suspension bridge which spans the mighty Yangtze River in China in the Jiangsu province. The bridge is part of a complex which also has a second bridge, which connects Zhenjiang on the southern bank with Yangzhou on the north. The bridge is located on the expressway connecting Beijing and Shanghai.
3. Great Belt Suspension Bridge
This suspension bridge provides the link between the Danish islands of Funen and Zealand across the Great Belt. This set up is made up of a road bridge and a rail tunnel between Zealand and Sprogo Island and a box girder bridge between Funen and Sprogo.
2. Xihoumen Bridge
The Xihoumen suspension bridge is 5.3km in length and has a 2.6km main bridge whose central span is 1.65km long.
1. Akashi Bridge
The Akashi Bridge is also known as the Pearl Bridge. Among suspension bridges it has the longest central span of 1.99km (6,532 feet). The bridge connects the city of Kobe on the Japanese mainland with Iwaya on Awaji Island across the Akashi Strait. The suspension bridge was completed in 1998.
So, here we have it. Ten of the best marvels of human engineering which help connect two places and connect lives. There are more such bridges under construction and on the drawing board. We will keep you updated when any of these bridges break into the top ten.
