The extreme engineering behind the UK’s tallest bridge

Oscar Holland, CNN
3 minute read
Published 8:04 AM EDT, Wed August 30, 2017
It has taken 10 years to build Scotland's newest bridge the Queensferry Crossing. It's the biggest infrastructure project the country has seen for an entire generation.
Queensferry Crossing by DISSING+WEITLING, Scotland —
It has taken 10 years to build Scotland's newest bridge the Queensferry Crossing. It's the biggest infrastructure project the country has seen for an entire generation.
Courtesy VisitScotland
Queensferry Crossing is made from 35,000 tons of steel, 150,000 tons of concrete and 23,000 miles of steel cabling.
Queensferry Crossing by DISSING+WEITLING, Scotland —
Queensferry Crossing is made from 35,000 tons of steel, 150,000 tons of concrete and 23,000 miles of steel cabling.
Courtesy VisitScotland
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said of the new structure, "The Queensferry Crossing is a symbol of a confident, forward-looking Scotland...it is a truly iconic structure and a feat of modern engineering."
Queensferry Crossing by DISSING+WEITLING, Scotland —
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said of the new structure, "The Queensferry Crossing is a symbol of a confident, forward-looking Scotland...it is a truly iconic structure and a feat of modern engineering."
Courtesy VisitScotland
With a structure that spans 1.7 miles the Queensferry Crossing is the world's longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge. Scroll through the gallery for more spectacular bridges from around the world.
Queensferry Crossing by DISSING+WEITLING, Scotland —
With a structure that spans 1.7 miles the Queensferry Crossing is the world's longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge. Scroll through the gallery for more spectacular bridges from around the world.
Courtesy VisitScotland
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge opened to public in August, 2016.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge by Haim Dotan Achitects, China —
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge opened to public in August, 2016.
Haim Dotan Architects
The glass-bottom bridge stretches across two hills and is 300 meters above ground.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge by Haim Dotan Achitects, China —
The glass-bottom bridge stretches across two hills and is 300 meters above ground.
Haim Dotan Architects
There are already over 30 bridges across London's River Thames, but this new project may have been the most ambitious yet: designer <a href="http://www.heatherwick.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Thomas Heatherwick's</a> plant-covered Garden Bridge came with a $275 million price tag. <br /><br /><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/16/world/leonardo-dicaprio-inspired-london-bridge-park/">According to Wired</a>, Heatherwick was inspired by the scene in "Titanic" when Leonardo DiCaprio took Kate Winslet to the bow of the ship and yelled "I'm the king of the world!" Small balconies along the length of the bridge will allow couples looking to reenact the scene.<br /><br />Construction was set to commence this year, with completion slated for late 2018, however the project has now officially been scrapped.
Garden Bridge by Thomas Heatherwick, London, UK —
There are already over 30 bridges across London's River Thames, but this new project may have been the most ambitious yet: designer Thomas Heatherwick's plant-covered Garden Bridge came with a $275 million price tag.

According to Wired, Heatherwick was inspired by the scene in "Titanic" when Leonardo DiCaprio took Kate Winslet to the bow of the ship and yelled "I'm the king of the world!" Small balconies along the length of the bridge will allow couples looking to reenact the scene.

Construction was set to commence this year, with completion slated for late 2018, however the project has now officially been scrapped.
Courtesy Arup
At just over 3,000 ft, the Danjiang Bridge -- one of the last commissions awarded to the late <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/31/architecture/zaha-hadid-appreciation/">Zaha Hadid</a> -- will be the world's longest single-tower, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge, according to <a href="http://www.zaha-hadid.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">the firm</a>. <br /><br />The subtle design is meant to have visual impact without obscuring the Taipei sunset.
Danjiang Bridge by Zaha Hadid Architects, Taiwan —
At just over 3,000 ft, the Danjiang Bridge -- one of the last commissions awarded to the late Zaha Hadid -- will be the world's longest single-tower, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge, according to the firm.

The subtle design is meant to have visual impact without obscuring the Taipei sunset.
Zaha Hadid Architects
<a href="http://www.nextarchitects.com/en/what/2016/" target="_blank" target="_blank">NEXT Architects</a>' Lucky Knot Bridge is set to open later this year. The name and shape refer to the Chinese art of decorative knotting, which is associated with good luck.
Lucky Knot Bridge by NEXT Architects, China —
NEXT Architects' Lucky Knot Bridge is set to open later this year. The name and shape refer to the Chinese art of decorative knotting, which is associated with good luck.
Courtesy NEXT architects