From the Edge Walk on Toronto’s CN Tower, suspended at 356 meters, to the Glass Bridge in Zhangjiajie National Park, China, at 300 meters, some of the world’s most breathtaking views can leave you dizzy. The same goes for suspension bridges. These architectural masterpieces push the boundaries of engineering and design, offering extraordinary panoramas while playing a crucial role in transportation networks.
Let’s take a look at some of the most remarkable ones.
Second Bosphorus Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge), Bosphorus Strait, Turkey
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, spans the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, connecting Europe and Asia. With a suspended span of 1,090 meters and a total length of 1,510 meters, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world when completed in 1988.
Great Belt Bridge, Denmark
The Great Belt Bridge, or Denmark Bridge, spans the Great Belt Strait, connecting the islands of Zealand and Funen. The suspension section of the bridge stretches 6,790 meters, with a central span of 1,624 meters, making it the sixth longest in the world. Built between 1991 and 1998, it established a direct transport link from mainland Europe to Sweden via Denmark.
Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Japan
Also known as the Pearl Bridge, it spans the Akashi Strait, one of Japan’s major maritime routes. Completed in 1998, it boasts a central span of 1,991 meters, holding the record as the world’s longest suspension bridge until it was surpassed in 2022 by the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge.
Xihoumen Bridge, China
With a central span of 1,650 meters, it is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Inaugurated in 2007 as part of a large-scale bridge project in the Zhoushan archipelago, it connects the islands of Jintang and Cezi, significantly enhancing regional connectivity in China.
Yi Sun-sin Bridge in Yeosu, South Korea
Opened in 2012, the Yi Sun-sin Bridge in Yeosu is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, featuring a main span of 1,545 meters. In 2013, it was a finalist for the Outstanding Structure Award, solidifying its status as an engineering marvel.
Osman Gazi Bridge, Sea of Mamara
Completed in 2016, Osman Gazi Bridge is a cable-stayed suspension bridge that features two steel pylons reaching 252 meters in height. Located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Marmara, it has significantly improved transportation in the region, reducing the crossing time over the gulf from 60 minutes to just 6 minutes.
Third Bosphorus Bridge, Bosphorus Strait, Turkey
When completed in 2016, the Third Bosphorus Bridge was the widest in the world, spanning 59 meters and supporting eight highway lanes and two high-speed rail tracks. With a total length of 2,164 meters, it connects the Asian and European shores as part of the Northern Marmara Highway project. Its construction required over 241,000 cubic meters of concrete and 125,000 tons of steel.
Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge, China
Opened to traffic in October 2019, the Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, Hubei province, is the longest suspension bridge in China and the third longest in the world, with a span of 1,700 meters. This impressive structure also holds the record for the longest double-deck bridge span, supporting multiple types of transportation across its two levels.
1915 Çanakkale Bridge, Dardanelles Strait, Turkey: the longest suspension bridge in the world
Officially the world’s longest suspension bridge, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge spans an impressive 2,023 meters across the historic Dardanelles Strait in northwestern Turkey. This engineering marvel not only holds the record for its length but is also the tallest bridge in Turkey, with towers soaring to 334 meters. Completed in 2022, it stands as a symbol of national pride, connecting the European and Asian shores of Turkey.
Danube Bridge at Brăila, Romania
The second-longest suspension bridge in continental Europe spans the Danube in eastern Romania. Inaugurated in 2023, the Brăila Bridge has a total length of 1,975 meters and a main span of 1,120 meters. Supporting this monumental structure are 18,000 steel cables stretching a total of 38,000 kilometers—just slightly less than the Earth’s circumference.
