Longest Bridge in the World – Record Length Maps and Facts

Spanning a staggering 164.8 kilometers across the Chinese landscape, the Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge is far more than just a crossing. It is an elevated railway viaduct designed to carry high‑speed trains across the varied terrain of the Yangtze River Delta. Completed in 2011 at a cost of $8.5 billion and involving over 10,000 workers, this structure holds the undisputed Guinness World Record for the longest bridge in the world.

The title “longest bridge” involves important distinctions. While the Danyang‑Kunshan holds the record for total length, other structures claim records for the longest continuous span over water or the longest suspension bridge. Understanding these categories is important for a clear picture of bridge records.

What is the Longest Bridge in the World?

The identity of the world’s longest bridge is firmly established. The Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge in Jiangsu Province, China, is the record holder by total length. Several key insights help frame this achievement.

• The World’s Longest Bridge Is Not Over Water. The Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge is a railway viaduct that crosses land, rivers, and lakes—it is not a continuous span over open water. The longest bridge over water is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana.
• China Dominates the Top 10 Longest Bridges. Of the ten longest bridges in the world, seven are in China. The country’s rapid high-speed rail expansion and infrastructure investment have driven these massive projects.
• Length Records Are Often Debated Due to Definition. Different definitions (total length vs. continuous span, over water vs. land) lead to competing records. The Danyang‑Kunshan is longest overall, but the world’s longest continuous span is the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge.
• The Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge Cost $8.5 Billion. Built between 2006 and 2010, the bridge cost approximately $8.5 billion USD and carries the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway.

How Long is the Longest Bridge in the World?

The Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge measures exactly 164,800 meters (102.4 miles). To put that in perspective, it is longer than the entire English Channel is wide. Driving from one end to the other at highway speeds would take about an hour and a half.

Length in kilometers and miles

The 164.8 km length is the figure recognized by Guinness World Records. This measurement includes the entire viaduct structure, which runs from Danyang near Nanjing to Kunshan near Shanghai. The bridge is part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, a major transportation artery.

Cost and construction effort

Construction required over 10,000 workers and took place between 2006 and 2010. The project cost an estimated $8.5 billion. Engineers designed the structure to withstand earthquakes, typhoons, and potential impacts from vessels up to 300,000 tons.

Where is the Longest Bridge Located?

Province and route details

The bridge is located in Jiangsu Province, China. It runs between the cities of Danyang, near Nanjing, and Kunshan, near Shanghai. It is a critical component of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway.

Map and geographic context

The structure snakes through the flat terrain of the Yangtze River Delta, a region known for its soft soil, lakes, and dense population. The viaduct design was chosen to minimize land use and reduce the impact on local farming communities. The route passes through a variety of landscapes, including rice fields and wetlands, which also helps manage flood impacts.

What is the Longest Bridge Over Water?

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, USA, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous bridge over water. It measures 38.44 km (23.9 miles) in total. The bridge runs across Lake Pontchartrain, connecting Metairie in the New Orleans metropolitan area to Mandeville on the north shore.

What is the Longest Suspension Bridge in the World?

The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in Japan holds the record for the longest central span among suspension bridges, at 1.99 kilometers. Its total length is just under 4 kilometers, placing it well outside the top list for overall length. Suspension bridges are often shorter overall because their complex engineering focuses on spanning deep, wide channels.

What are the Top 10 Longest Bridges in the World?

The global ranking is dominated by Chinese high-speed rail viaducts. Top sources from mastt.com and other industry sites consistently place these elevated rail structures at the top of the list.

Second, third, and fourth longest bridges

The Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct in Taiwan is the second longest at 157.3 km. It features anti-seismic design. The Cangde Grand Bridge (115.9 km or 72.0 miles) and the Tianjin Grand Bridge (113.7 km or 70.6 miles) take third and fourth place, respectively, according to bridgemastersinc.com.

When was the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge Built?

The construction timeline of the world’s longest bridge spans several years. The following events mark its development history, as documented by various engineering and recordkeeping sources.

1. 2006: Construction of the Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge begins.
2. 2010: The bridge is structurally completed.
3. June 2011: The bridge opens to railway traffic, becoming the world’s longest.
4. 2012: Certified by Guinness World Records as the longest bridge.
5. 2025: The record still holds; no longer bridge has been completed as of 2025.

What Do We Know for Sure About the Longest Bridge?

When evaluating bridge records, some facts are firmly established while other aspects remain subjects of ongoing discussion. The following comparison separates the two.

Why Does China Have So Many of the World’s Longest Bridges?

China’s high-speed rail network expansion, flat terrain in eastern provinces, and massive government investment have enabled these massive viaduct projects. The Danyang‑Kunshan bridge alone significantly reduces travel time between Shanghai and Nanjing. The Longest Bridges in the World: Comprehensive Research Summary provides additional context on these infrastructure investments.

Engineering challenges of viaducts vs. suspension bridges

Viaducts require thousands of piers but remain simpler over flat land. Suspension bridges involve complex cable and tower engineering to span deep water or valleys. Each type serves distinct geographies and transportation needs.

What Do Official Sources Say About the Record?

The longest bridge in the world is the Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge in China, with a length of 164.8 km.

Guinness World Records

Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge is a 164.8-kilometre-long (102.4 mi) viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway.

Wikipedia

The Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge in China currently holds the record for the longest bridge in the world, coming in at a whopping 164km (104 miles) long.

Science Focus

What is the Verdict on the World’s Longest Bridge?

As of 2025, the Danyang‑Kunshan Grand Bridge remains the undisputed record holder for the longest bridge in the world by total length. For a deeper dive into the measurements and comparisons, explore the Longest Bridges in the World: Comprehensive Research Summary.

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