1. Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge
This Chinese bridge is 102.4 miles long – making it the world’s longest bridge. It hosts the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Its construction took four years, employing 10,000 people, and cost more than £6billion.
2. Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct
Over 200million passengers have used this Taiwanese rail link since it was opened in 2007. It is 97.8 miles in length and is built across numerous viaducts in a bid to avert earthquake damage.
3. Tianjin Grand Bridge
Another entrant in the top 10 from China, the Tianjin Grand Bridge carries the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. It is 70.6 miles long and was completed in 2010 – before being opened one year later.
4. Cangde Grand Bridge
The Cangde Grand Bridge has been designed to withstand earthquakes and sits on more than 3,000 piers along its 65-mile length.
5. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge
Not only does this bridge cross the Wei River twice during its 49.5-mile journey, but it also offers scenic views of many other rivers. When it was completed in 2008 it was the longest bridge in the world – but it was quickly surpassed by the previous contenders.
6. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
This 34-mile link was in the works for years – but was left mired in controversy following a series of worker deaths and injuries. During construction, there were 10 fatalities on the Hong Kong stretch with as many as 600 hurt. One politician even branded it the ‘bridge of blood and tears’ – and 21 employees at a contractor were eventually arrested on safety charges.
56. Europe’s longest bridge – Portugal’s Vasco da Gama
This 7.6-mile bridge spans the Tagus River in Portugal’s capital Lisbon. It carries six road lanes, each with a speed limit of 75mph – except one section which is limited 60mph.
119. Britain’s longest bridge – Birmingham’s Bromford Viaduct
Trailing far behind its Asian cousins, the Bromford Viaduct is a paltry 3.5miles long, carrying the M6 motorway between Castle Bromwich and Gravelly Hill in Birmingham. It is just a quarter of a mile longer than the Second Severn Crossing.