The World's longest bridges. Defined as the longest span between two supporting structures. Records are split into 4 major bridge designs. Distances are in metres
The main load of the bridge is supported by the primary load bearing cable suspended between towers in an arc. From this primary cable vertical suspender cables are attached to the deck on which the road is constructed. This design enables very long distances to be spanned.
Rank | Bridge | Country | Span / Deck Length (metres) |
Year Completed |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Messina | Italy | 3300/3666 | incomplete (2011) |
2 | Kitan Straight | Japan | 2500 | incomplete |
3 | Qiongzhou Haixia | China | 2500 | incomplete |
4 | Akashi Kaikyo | Japan | 1991/3911 | 1998 |
5 | Izmit Bay | Turkey | 1668 | incomplete |
6 | Dongfang | China | 1650 | incomplete |
7 | Storebæltsbro (Great Belt Bridge) | Denmark | 1624/6800 | 1997 |
8 | Runyang (Zhenjian Yangzhou) | China | 1490 | 2005 |
9 | Ging Long Da Qiao | China | 1418 | incomplete (2007) |
10 | Humber | England | 1410 | 1981 |
11 | Jiangyin | China | 1385 | 1999 |
12 | Tsing Ma | China | 1377 | 1997 |
13 | Verrazano-Narrows | USA | 1298 | 1964 |
14 | Golden Gate | USA | 1280 | 1937 |
15 | Hoga Kusten | Sweden | 1210 | 1997 |
A number of straight cables from each of the towers to the roadway.
Rank | Bridge | Country | Span / Deck Length (metres) |
Year Completed |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Suzhou-Nantong (Sutong) | China | 1088/1944 | incomplete (2008) |
2 | Stonecutters | Hong Kong | 1018 | incomplete (2007) |
3 | Dongfang | China | 900 | incomplete |
4 | Lingding | China | 900 | incomplete |
5 | Tatara | Japan | 890/1480 | 1999 |
6 | Pont de Normandie | France | 856 | 1995 |
7 | Nancha | China | 628 | 2001 |
8 | Baiahazhou | China | 618 | 2000 |
9 | Qingzhou | China | 605 | 2003 |
10 | Yangpu | China | 602 | 1993 |
An arching span between two abutments transfers the load horizontally against them.
Rank | Bridge | Country | Span / Deck Length (metres) |
Year Completed |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hu-Pu, Shanghai | China | 550 | 2003 |
2 | New River Gorge | WV, USA | 518/924 | 1978 |
3 | Bayonne (Kill van Kull) | NN, USA | 504 | 1931 |
4 | Sydney Harbour | Australia | 503 | 1932 |
5 | St Marco | Italy | 390 | 1979 |
Lots of shorter elements joined together usually in diagonals to support each other/
Rank | Bridge | Country | Span / Deck Length (metres) |
Year Completed |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pont de Quebec | Canada | 549/863 | 1917 |
2 | Firth of Forth | Scotland | 521/1042 | 1890 |
3 | Minato (Southport) Osaka | Japan | 510 | 1973 |
4 | Chester-Bridgeport | USA | 501 | 1972 |
5 | Greater New Orleans I & II | USA | 480 | 1958, 1988 |