Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 22, The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in southwest China’s Guizhou Province reached an important milestone on Thursday as it began key load-bearing tests, moving closer to its planned opening in September. Once completed, the bridge will be recognized as the highest in the world, with its deck positioned 625 meters above the river.

The bridge extends 2,890 meters in length, with a main span of 1,420 meters, making it the largest span bridge ever built in a mountainous area. It forms a crucial part of the Liuzhi to Anlong expressway, a project aimed at improving transportation across Guizhou’s rugged terrain.

The current tests are scheduled to continue until Sunday and are intended to confirm the bridge’s structural strength and safety. On Thursday, 18 trucks with a combined weight of 630 tonnes were positioned on the bridge. During the four-day testing process, the load will gradually increase until reaching a maximum of 3,300 tonnes.

More than 400 sensors have been installed throughout the structure to record deformation and stress responses in the main towers, cables and deck under both static and dynamic conditions. These readings will provide critical data to ensure the bridge meets all safety requirements.

Wu Chaoming, project manager of the construction company, stated: "These tests are the final and most critical exam before the bridge opens to traffic." His remarks emphasized the importance of this stage in verifying the project’s readiness for operation.

Guizhou’s unique landscape, where 92.5 percent of the land is covered by mountains and hills, has made bridges essential to regional development. Since the late 1970s, nearly 30,000 bridges have been constructed in the province, and Guizhou now accounts for almost half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges. This highlights the region’s expertise in large-scale bridge engineering.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is expected to play a significant role in boosting local connectivity once it becomes operational. By linking areas that were previously difficult to access, the bridge will not only reduce travel time but also promote economic development and enhance regional transportation capacity.

The project showcases advanced engineering and large-scale infrastructure development in challenging terrain. Its successful completion is expected to provide long-term benefits for both local communities and regional logistics, reinforcing Guizhou’s reputation as a leader in bridge construction.

As the final tests progress, anticipation grows for the bridge’s official opening in September. With its record-setting height and span, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will stand as a landmark achievement, symbolizing both technical progress and improved regional connectivity in southwest China.