Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge Declared Safe After Final Load Test

GUIYANG, Aug. 27, 2025 - China’s Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, poised to become the world’s tallest bridge, successfully completed its final static and dynamic load tests this week, clearing the last major hurdle before its scheduled public opening in late September.

According to engineers overseeing the project, a convoy of 96 heavy trucks, each weighing approximately 35 tonnes, was deployed across the bridge deck between August 21 and 25. The total simulated load reached 3,360 tonnes as the vehicles were driven and parked at designated points to assess the structure’s performance under various stress conditions. More than 400 sensors installed on the main span, towers, cables and suspenders recorded displacement, bending moments and tension data in real time, confirming that all measured indicators met or exceeded safety standards.

Project manager Wu Zhaoming of Guizhou Transportation Investment Group Co., Ltd. highlighted the complexity of the assessments, noting that both static and dynamic evaluations were crucial for validating the bridge’s structural integrity. “The bridge responded exactly as predicted under extreme loading scenarios, demonstrating the robustness of our design and construction methods,” he said.

Spanning 2,890 meters in total length with a central span of 1,420 meters, the suspension bridge soars 625 meters above the Beipan River, surpassing the Duge Bridge as the world’s highest bridge. Once open, it will also hold the record for the largest span in a mountainous region. Beyond its engineering significance, the bridge is set to reduce travel time between Liuzhi and Anlong from two hours to just two minutes, and is expected to catalyze regional tourism by linking key attractions such as Huangguoshu Waterfall and Wanfenglin Scenic Area.

Preparations are now underway for the grand inauguration, with finishing touches-including viewing platforms, glass elevators and adrenaline activities like bungee jumping-set to be completed in the coming weeks. The bridge is on track to welcome its first vehicles and visitors in late September, marking a new landmark in China’s infrastructure achievements.