A convoy of 96 trucks drove across the Huajiang (China) suspension bridge to successfully complete its load-bearing test. The structure holds the title of the world’s tallest bridge.
Construction of the Huajiang Valley Bridge began in 2022 in Guizhou Province, China, connecting Liuzhi and Anlong. This mega structure is 2,980 meters long and rises 625 meters above the Beipan River, making it the tallest bridge in the world in terms of deck height.
It is also the largest suspension bridge built in a mountainous area, reducing a one-hour drive to just 90 seconds, with breathtaking views along the way.
The final load test took place before the bridge’s official opening at the end of September. Over five days, engineers carried out static and dynamic tests. Convoys of 18, 48, and finally 96 vehicles, with a combined weight of more than 3,300 tons, crossed the bridge.
During the tests, different traffic flow scenarios and vehicle distributions were simulated. Sensors installed in various parts of the bridge measured stress and strain under each condition. In dynamic tests, vehicles accelerated and braked to simulate real driving conditions.
After completion, the bridge will also feature a glass walkway and attractions such as bungee jumping and paragliding. Thanks to its height and valley location, visitors may have the feeling of driving, walking, or even jumping among the clouds above the Beipan River.
However, while this bridge is the tallest in terms of deck height (the distance from the road surface to the ground or water below), it does not hold the Guinness World Record for “tallest bridge.” Guinness measures from the highest structural point to the lowest ground level, a record still held by the Millau Viaduct in France.
