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What is the longest bridge in the world?

The longest bridge in the world, as of now, is the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge. Now, you might be wondering: where is this bridge? Well, it's in China! This gigantic structure is part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. It's a viaduct, which means it's a type of bridge that is made up of multiple small spans for crossing a valley or a body of water.

Now let's talk about its size. The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge stretches an impressive 164.8 kilometers (or about 102.4 miles, if you're more familiar with that). Imagine walking that distance! You'd probably need a good pair of shoes and several days to make it from one end to the other.

Building such a massive structure was no small feat. Construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2010. That's four years just to build one bridge! Over ten thousand people were involved in its construction, which gives you an idea of the scale of this project.

So why did China build such a long bridge? The main reason was to improve transportation between Beijing and Shanghai. Before the bridge was built, traveling between these two cities by train took about two days. Thanks to this megastructure (and other improvements), the journey now takes less than five hours!

In conclusion, the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge holds the title for being the longest bridge in the world. It serves as a testament to human engineering and determination. And remember: if you're ever planning on crossing it on foot, don't forget your walking shoes!