A “Super Landmark” Above the Clouds: Huajiang Canyon Bridge, More Than the World’s Tallest Bridge
When 14-level gales sweep across the “earth’s fissure”-like Huajiang Canyon, a massive red steel arc stands unshaken — the Huajiang Canyon Bridge, a megaproject that simultaneously claims the titles of “world’s tallest bridge” and “largest mountain-span suspension bridge.” Rising 625 meters above the canyon floor, it not only breaks world height records but also redefines what a bridge can be — merging cutting-edge engineering, adaptive design, and integrated tourism.
As a key control project of the Liuzhi–Anlong Expressway in Guizhou, China, the bridge stretches 2,890 meters in total length, with a main span of 1,420 meters, crossing the “U-shaped” canyon that drops nearly 1,000 meters. Traditional beam and arch bridge designs, limited to spans of 330 and 600 meters, proved insufficient, while a cable-stayed bridge would have required a 500-meter tower — exceeding current global construction limits. The final suspension bridge design emerged as the optimal solution, balancing cost, span capacity, and terrain constraints — a feat of engineering that quite literally bridges the impossible.
Engineering Design: Adapting to the Terrain
Designers had to carefully balance tunnel length and bridge elevation. Lowering the bridge’s elevation could reduce structure size but extend tunnel length; shortening tunnels, however, would increase bridge volume. The chosen configuration — a 3,500-meter tunnel combined with a 2,890-meter bridge — perfectly balanced construction costs, long-term maintenance, and driving comfort, achieving full integration with the canyon’s natural form.
Technology and Sustainability in Every Detail
Facing wind speeds up to level 14, engineers deployed laser radar systems to monitor real-time wind dynamics and installed adjustable steel wind-resistant plates on both sides of the main span. These components, optimized via big data simulations, allow the bridge to adapt to airflow instead of merely resisting it.
To prevent cracking during the 500,000 m³ concrete pours, the team developed an intelligent temperature control system, embedding cooling pipes and smart sensors to monitor internal-external temperature differentials in real time — ensuring long-term durability.
In line with green construction principles, all sand and gravel materials were made from recycled local waste rock, reducing costs by 90 million yuan and preserving approximately 0.8 m² of riverbed per ton used, truly achieving the vision of “building bridges without harming nature.”
Precision Construction: Smart Monitoring and AI Integration
Each of the bridge’s two main cables consists of 217 strands, each measuring 2,378 meters long and weighing 43.4 tons. To ensure millimeter-level precision in cable installation 600 meters above ground, engineers used China’s BeiDou positioning system for 3D spatial tracking, coupled with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) monitoring system that continuously measures temperature, humidity, and stress across 2,380 sensors.
The installation site of smart cables
This intelligent monitoring framework integrates with the bridge health management and dehumidification systems, providing full-time protection for the structure. Such innovations have earned the project 17 invention patents and 4 utility model patents, with several technological breakthroughs now included in China’s national bridge engineering standards.
From Infrastructure to Destination: Merging Transportation and Tourism
What truly sets Huajiang Canyon Bridge apart is its fusion of infrastructure and tourism. As a model project for “transportation + tourism” integration in Guizhou, it offers:
- A 207-meter panoramic elevator built into the main tower, taking visitors to the summit in under one minute with 360° glass views of the canyon clouds.
- An 850-meter glass walkway extending from the bridge deck, giving visitors the sensation of “walking on clouds.”
- Planned extreme sports including bungee jumping and paragliding, as well as a 300-meter canyon water screen and laser light show projected across the night sky.
Reviving the Canyon’s Heart
Beyond its engineering brilliance, the bridge has transformed life in nearby Huajiang Village. Previously, locals spent over an hour traversing winding mountain roads between the two canyon sides; now, the journey takes just seven minutes. Once-isolated villages have become tourist destinations. Local residents have opened guesthouses and farm restaurants, reviving the local economy and cultural heritage.
A New Symbol of China’s Bridge Power
With load testing completed, the bridge is now counting down to full operation. As part of Guizhou’s “30,000 bridges and counting,” which includes three of the world’s highest bridges, the Huajiang Canyon Bridge stands as a global emblem of China’s bridge engineering excellence — integrating height, intelligence, and sustainability into one breathtaking landmark.
Soon, as visitors ride to the summit and villagers welcome travelers from around the world, this “No.1 bridge in every sense” will continue to write a new chapter in the story of Chinese bridge innovation — uniting strength, wisdom, and wonder high above the clouds.
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