China has completed a major structural milestone: a five-day load test on the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, soon to be the world’s highest bridge by deck height—625 meters above the gorge floor in Guizhou’s Huajiang Canyon, tells Engineering News-Record.
Between August 21 and 25, engineers staged both static and dynamic load tests. In the final phase, 96 heavy trucks totaling 3,360 metric tons were strategically driven across the bridge’s span. Sensors throughout the structure tracked the responses, especially deflections, underweight conditions designed to mimic extreme real-world traffic.
These tests serve a core purpose: verifying the bridge’s structural integrity before public use, a tradition rooted in engineering practice where a bridge must demonstrate real-world strength before accepting traffic.
Once completed, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will stretch 2,890 meters long, with a main span of 1,420 meters, supported by two towers rising 262 meters. The bridge replaces a winding, hour-long trek through rugged terrain with a rapid crossing that slashes travel times to mere minutes. It will carry the Liuzhi–Anlong Expressway across the canyon.
This achievement not only sets a new structural record but also underscores China’s ability to master difficult terrain through bold engineering and precision execution. The bridge stands as both a regional lifeline and a symbol of modern triumph in infrastructure.