Mountains Are Cut Down in China to Build a Record-Breaking Bridge! (3 photos)

In China, a mountain range was split in two to build a road and the highest bridge on the planet.





China cuts through a mountain to build the world's highest bridge: How the engineering marvel was built

In Guizhou Province, where more than 90% of the territory is covered by cliffs and ridges, laying a highway on flat terrain is impossible. Therefore, designers decided to cut through the cliffs and connect them with a bridge spanning a deep canyon. Thus, a link was created for a new expressway that will connect several cities and reduce travel time for cars.

The central element of the project is a bridge spanning the Huajiang Gorge. Its height, from base to roadbed, is 625 meters. This is almost nine times higher than the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States. Its length is also impressive – almost 3 kilometers. The bridge will be part of a roughly 300-kilometer highway connecting major population centers in Guizhou. Previously, the journey through the mountains took drivers about an hour; now, the distance can be covered in just a few minutes.



The structure became part of a high-speed highway connecting several major cities.

Construction began in early 2022. The project is now over 95% complete. The structure was assembled from 93 sections—steel truss blocks, each weighing between 150 and 250 tons. The total weight of the bridge is approximately 22,000 tons, three times heavier than the Eiffel Tower. All elements were lifted to the installation site using a special rope system. Standard cranes were impossible to use at such a height.

Engineers used unique welding and corrosion protection methods. Since the structure is located in an area prone to frequent fog and sudden temperature fluctuations, the metal structures were coated with a special anti-corrosion compound. The design also includes dampers—devices that will dampen vibrations and protect the bridge from strong winds. The supports are equipped with sensors that monitor the stress and movement of the structure in real time.



The supports are equipped with sensors that monitor the structure's condition in real time.

The bridge is part of a highway connecting Guiyang, Anshun, and Qianxingan. Calculations indicate that the bridge will serve as an important part of the transportation network and contribute to the economic development of southwest China. People from remote areas will be able to reach cities more quickly, and cargo delivery will be worry-free. The facility is scheduled to open in late 2025.

The Guizhou region is already known as the birthplace of engineering records. Nearly half of the tallest bridges on Earth are located here. The region has earned its reputation as a flagship for various know-how thanks to its unique landscape. In this mountainous location, traditional methods often fail, so nature itself demands unconventional solutions from specialists. This is why Guizhou's innovations are considered some of the most complex and interesting in the world.