1915 Canakkale Bridge–The longest suspension bridge in the world

China is building a bridge on Yangtze river in Jiangsu Province, which is likely to surpass Canakkale bridge in length (2300 metre long main span) up on its completion in 2028  

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Ankara (Turkey): The 1915 Canakkale bridge, which reaffirmed Turkey’s supremacy in bridge building technology, is unlikely to face any challenger in the near future, or at least till 2028. It remains the longest suspension bridge, stretching in 4,608 metre in total length, ever since it was inaugurated on March 18, 2022. 

Prior to its construction, Japan boasted the feat of having the longest suspension bridge, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which is 3,911 metres long and has three spans. The central span is 1,991 metres (6,532 feet) long.

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The 1915 Canakkale bridge’s central span measures 2,023 metres, which makes it the longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge also catapults Turkey’s position at the forefront of bridge engineering.

China to get longest suspension bridge in 2028

China is likely to surpass Turkey in terms of bridge construction by 2028, when it would throw open its under construction bridge, Zhangjiagang-Jingjiang-Rugao Yangtze River Bridge in Jiangsu Province, open for public transport. Construction of the bridge has begun and foundational work of the project is complete. 

The bridge up on its construction will connect three cities including Zhangjiagang, Jingjiang, and Rugao, and will have two waterway spans in the south and north, three approach spans in the south, middle, and north, and eight lanes and a design speed of 100 kilometers per hour. The length of the south waterway span is 2,300 meters, making the bridge have the longest span in the world. The bridge will be of great significance to the integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta region. 

1915 Çanakkale bridge significance

The 1915 Canakkale bridge is not only the longest suspension bridge till date, but it’s numbers hold symbolic significance for the country. Length of its main span–2,023 meters–commemorates the centenary of the Turkish Republic in 2023. Its height, which is 318 meters, denotes March 18, a date honoring soldiers fallen at Gallipoli. The ambitious project is also a testament to the collaboration between Turkish and South Korean companies. 

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Transforming intercontinental travel

The 1915 Çanakkale bridge over Dardanelles Strait has dramatically altered the landscape of travel between Europe and Asia, by reducing the travel time by an astounding 93%. Prior to its construction, people used to cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry, which took around 90 minutes. However, now travelers can traverse this waterway in just six minutes through the Canakkale bridge, connecting Gelibolu district of Turkey (Europe) and Lapseki district in Asia.

Benefits of Canakkale bridge

The bridge has enhanced connectivity between Gelibolu (Europe) and Lapseki (Asia) and boosted economic opportunities through improved logistics. This also allows tourists to explore the landscapes of both sides of the strait. Besides, it has also led to shifts in regional dynamics and played a significant role in global connectivity. As nations seek to strengthen ties, projects like this exemplify how geopolitics influences infrastructure development and shapes international relations.

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Impact of bridge on future projects  

The engineering marvel is likely to give boost to the idea of connecting difficult terrains by building similar structures in other parts of the world. While China is building two major cable-stayed suspension bridges, which are likely to exceed the length of Canakkale bridge, it would foster the idea of bridging vast distances, such as the Amazon river. However, economic viability is likely to top the consideration for such major projects.

Walter Kaufmann, chair of Structural Engineering at ETH Zurich, explains that the lack of bridges across the Amazon is due to insufficient demand in sparsely populated areas. This highlights the importance of considering population density, economic activity, and existing infrastructure when planning major engineering projects.

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