There’s no denying that the building of a new bridge is a fascinating project, in which engineers and construction workers perform daring feats to help us cross from A to B following a convenient path, an in a much shorter time.
Architects and engineers competing to make their structures, taller, more efficient, and more beautiful.
So it is not surprising that the new Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in China, which has recently completed construction, is now the world’s tallest – and it has to be so, since it spans the crack between the mountains known as the Earth’s Crack Canyon.
The new Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is the world’s highest, and officially opened to the public on 28 September.
Its deck sits 625 metres above the deep valley below, and spans almost 3km across – its 1,420-metre main section also making it the world’s longest bridge in a mountainous area, according to China’s state media.
But in perhaps the most terrifying moment of all, this 2,890-meter-long suspension bridge – which sits 625 meters above the water below – has recently been tested.
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As china.com.cn report, this test involved up to 96 lorries bearing heavy loads, in a load test that ensured that both moving and stationary vehicles would be safe on the bridge, with engineers checking not only the road deck, but also the bridge’s cables, suspenders, towers and anchors throughout the testing.
Throughout the tests – which resulted in some incredible photos – sensors were placed all over the bridge, in order to capture real time data that would show any stress or potential issues with the bridge’s components.
Following these tests, the lorries were instructed to drive at various speeds, as well as braking at different speeds too, to simulate natural traffic flow on the bridge as well as sudden movements resulting from accidents or traffic jams.
Crucially, the load-bearing tests exceeded the maximum capacity of the bridge, ensuring that its vital structures could cope during even the most excessive levels of traffic.
Reassuringly, this milestone was passed successfully, with the tests proving that Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge was safe.
Social media is awash with videos from the bridge. One user described cars looking “as small as ants” driving across the bridge.
“Sitting in the car, it felt as if I could reach out and touch the clouds with my hand,” said another.
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This project is vital for connecting communities and highways on either side of the gorge, and is projected to be a significant boost to the economic development of Guizho.
It will reportedly cut travel time across the canyon from two hours to two minutes.
For the rest of us, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is a magnificent feat of engineering, to be marvelled at whether nearby or from afar.
