The world’s tallest bridge is due to open this summer in Guizhou, south-west China. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will connect Liuzhi Special District and Anlong Special District with a crossing 2,051 feet above sea level.

The previous tallest bridge was Millau Viaduct in France, 947 feet lower than China’s new construction, which has been nicknamed the “Earth crack.” Guizhou local state media said work on the bridge started on January 18, 2022, and is due to be finished on June 30, 2025.

Zhang Shenglin, chief engineer of Guizhou Highway Group, told China Daily, the country’s state-run newspaper: “At present, the overall progress of the bridge has reached 95%, and it is planned to be opened to traffic in the second half of 2025.

“By then, this super project that spans the ‘Earth crack’ will be the world’s first in both directions. It will become another landmark project to demonstrate China’s infrastructure strength.”

Nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges are Incredibly in Guizhou.

Currently, to travel from one side of the valley to the other takes an hour and requires going via winding mountainous roads. However, according to reports, the new crossing will reduce travel time between the two sides to less than two minutes.

It is 656 feet taller than the Eiffel Tower and weighs almost 22,000 metric tonnes, which is three times heavier than Paris’ iconic landmark.

“Witnessing my work become something tangible—watching the bridge grow day by day and finally stand tall above the canyon—gives me a profound sense of achievement and pride,” said Li Zhao, chief engineer of the project.