World's tallest bridge nears opening in Guizhou province

In southwestern China's Guizhou province, the world's tallest bridge will open to traffic on Sunday, provincial transport authorities said at a Wednesday press briefing.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge has a deck that sits 625 meters above the water and a main span of 1,420 meters. The project is the world's largest-span steel truss suspension bridge built across a mountainous canyon. It incorporates engineering advances in wind-resistance design and high-altitude construction techniques, according to Zhang Yin, director of the provincial department of transport.

"This bridge will cut travel time between the two banks from about two hours to roughly two minutes, improving local transport and driving economic and social development, especially in rural areas," Zhang said.

The bridge and a nearby tourism zone, which features bungee jumping, a tower-top cafe, and a geological culture museum, are expected to attract more than one million visits a year. The influx will boost sales of local farm products and spur growth in homestays, restaurants, and other local businesses, according to Zhang.