The Millau Viaduct is recognized as the tallest bridge in the world and the largest cable-stayed bridge in Europe. It stands a whopping 1,125 feet above its base. It crosses the Gorge Valley of Southern France. It stretches over 8,000 feet long and 105 feet wide.
Its construction began in 2001 and was finished in 2004. Due to potential winds of up to 151 kilometers per hour, side screens were installed to reduce the effect of the wind by 50%. In 2006, it won the Outstanding Structure Award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.
Sidu River Bridge, China
The current reigning champ of the highest bridge in the world is the Sidu River Bridge in China. This steel bridge which was built in 2009 for $100 Million hangs a nauseating 1,600 feet above the canyon floor and 5,000 feet across the river valley.
The bridge was part of China’s ongoing highway expansion project and connects two separate parts of the country that were formerly inaccessible due to mountainous terrain and several rivers. The views of the valley down below are truly staggering. Fortunately, they say it is one of the sturdiest bridges ever built. We just hope they are right.
Mekong River Crossing, China
The Mekong river is a massive river that stretches across six different countries in Southeast Asia- China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The river water’s condition can fluctuate from calm to raging rapids. This picture features a woman walking across extremely choppy waters.
Iya Kazurabashi Bridge, Japan
You can see everyone in this picture holding on for dear life to the Iya Kazurabashi vine bridge of the Iya Valley which dates all the way back to the 12th century. It sits high above the Iya-gawa river in Tokushima, Japan.
It is made of wooden planks and connected with mountain vines. While historically this bridge is very significant, maybe the safety in modernization and renovations need to be considered. Cross the bridge at your own risk, just be sure to hold on tight.
Mystery Bridge, Indonesia
We are not sure why anybody is even crossing this bridge at all. Can it even still be called a bridge it’s hanging on its side and barely in one piece anymore.
This bridge can be compared to an ‘Indo Board’ which is a device used by surfers and skateboarders in order to develop balance. they balance a wheelless board on a foam cylinder without touching the floor. in comparison, a professional ‘indo-boarder’ wouldn’t get very far on this bridge in Indonesia. These school children surely don’t seem to be bothered by it.