The Longest Bridges In The World

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, or the Causeway, consists of two parallel bridges that are the longest bridges in the world by total length. These parallel bridges cross Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. The longer of the two bridges is about 38 kilometers long. The bridges are supported by over 9000 concrete pilings. The two bridges feature bascule spans over the navigation channel 13 kilometers south of the north shore. The southern terminus of the Causeway is in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The northern terminus is at Mandeville, Louisiana.

Donghai Bridge ("East Sea Grand Bridge") is the longest cross-sea bridge in the world. It was completed on December 10, 2005. It has a total length of about 32 kilometers and connects Shanghai and the offshore Yangshan deep-water port in China. Most of the bridge is a low-level viaduct. There are also cable-stayed sections to allow for the passage of large ships, largest with span of 420 meters.


Vasco da Gama Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts and roads that spans the Tagus River near Lisbon, capital of Portugal. It is the longest bridge in Europe, with a total length of about 17 kilometers, including about 1 kilometer for the main bridge, 11 kilometers in viaducts, and 5 kilometers in extension roads. Its purpose is to alleviate the congestion on Lisbon's other bridge (25 de Abril Bridge), and to join previously unconnected motorways radiating from Lisbon. The bridge was opened to traffic on March 29, 1998, in time for Expo 98, the World's Fair that celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery by Vasco da Gama of the sea route from Europe to India.


Penang Bridge ("Jambatan Pulau Pinang" in Malay) is a dual-carriageway toll bridge that connects Gelugor on the island of Penang and Seberang Prai on the mainland of Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula. The bridge is also linked to the North-South Expressway in Prai and Jelutong Expressway in Penang. It was officially opened to traffic on September 14, 1985. The total length of the bridge is about 13 kilometers, making it among the longest bridges in the world as well as a national landmark.