Set to open to motorists in September, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge passed a crucial stress test this week, Chinese media reported. Ninety-six lorries carrying 3,360 tonnes drove across the bridge over five days.
When complete, the bridge will be the world’s highest. The structure, 2,890 metres long, is expected to open late next month, boosting tourism prospects for the province.
It spans the Beipan River in Guizhou province at a height of 625 metres from the canyon floor. Guizhou in south-west China is known for its rugged mountainous terrain and the giant suspension bridge will cut short an hour-long trip across the canyon, replacing it with a 90-second scenic drive.
It will also have integrated tourism offerings including a glass walkway, bungee jumping, paragliding and rope swinging, China Daily reported.
The bridge, which is part of the wider 152km road called the Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway, cost about $280 million to build, a Metro UK report revealed.
When compared to other well-known bridges in the world, the Huajiang will top the list for the highest, based on deck height, but will not be the tallest.
Guinness World Records uses different measures for the highest and tallest, respectively – deck height (from the bridge deck or roadway to the ground or water surface directly beneath it) or structural height (maximum vertical distance from a bridge's highest point – like the top of a tower – to its lowest exposed part).
The world’s tallest bridge, based on the above definition, is Millau Viaduct in France, which opened in 2004, with a structural height of 343 metres.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is set to topple Beipanjiang or Duge as the highest based on deck height. Duge Bridge, only 200km upstream of the same river in China, has a deck height of 565 metres.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
