China has inspiring infrastructures, and Duge Bridge is one of its many remarkable developments. Duge Bridge connects the southwestern provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou and spans the Beipan River, one of the world’s deepest canyons. It is a symbol of China’s innovative engineering, as it not only broke records but also serves as a vital link in transportation and economic development.
The construction of Duge Bridge started in 2011 and was completed in September 2016. It has a curved design, with a length of 1,341 meters and a height of 565 meters, making it the highest bridge in the world. The bridge has four lanes and can accommodate a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour. The bridge’s construction required immense planning and resources, with over 1,000 engineers and workers involved in its design and construction.
The construction of such a massive bridge was no easy feat. Builders had to overcome complex geological challenges such as the steep and rocky terrain and the strong winds blowing through the canyon. Additionally, the bridge’s design had to account for the seismic activity of the region, which is prone to earthquakes. To ensure its safety, the bridge was built using cutting-edge technology, including sensors, monitoring systems and aerospace-level materials to withstand all weather conditions and natural disasters.
Duge Bridge’s design and construction broke several world records. Its main span of 720 meters is the world’s highest and longest for a concrete deck system. Its tower’s height is 269 meters, and it is the world’s highest concrete bridge tower. When the bridge opened to the public in 2017, it received wide acclaim as a significant achievement of engineering that required precision, innovation, and dedication.
The Duge Bridge offers economic advantages to the neighboring regions. It connects the cities of Guizhou and Yunnan, two of China’s most prosperous regions economically, reducing the travel time between the two cities from five hours to just two hours. The bridge enables the transportation of goods and develops tourism between the two provinces, which will give a significant boost to the local economy.