In News:

China is set to unveil the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, a record-breaking steel truss suspension bridge that will become the world’s highest bridge. The bridge, located in Zhenfeng County, Guizhou Province, is part of the Shantou–Kunming Expressway, connecting the coastal city of Shantou with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.

Key Facts about the Bridge:

• Height: The bridge will stand 625 meters (2,051 feet) above the Beipan River, 200 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower (at 330 meters).
• Length: Spanning 2,890 meters (9,482 feet) in total.
• Construction Period: Started on January 18, 2022, and took 3.5 years to complete.
• Cost: Estimated at £216 million (?2,200 crore).
• Travel Time Reduction: It will reduce the travel time across the canyon from 60 minutes to just 2 minutes.

Design and Engineering:

• Steel Framework: The steel trusses of the bridge weigh approximately 22,000 tons, about three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
• Engineering Feat: The bridge is a significant engineering achievement, showcasing China’s capabilities in bridge construction. The structure’s design and dramatic location are expected to attract tourists, bolstering the region’s economy.

Strategic and Economic Impact:

• The bridge is a major transportation infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity in the remote Guizhou Province, a mountainous region that already hosts many of the world’s tallest bridges.
• Tourism and Regional Growth: Besides serving as a crucial transportation link, the bridge is expected to boost tourism and contribute to economic development in the region.

China’s Engineering Milestones:

• The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge surpasses the Millau Viaduct in France (343 meters), which previously held the record for the tallest bridge.
• China has been a leader in the construction of the world’s tallest bridges, further solidified by this record-breaking structure.