Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet approved a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga River in Varanasi on Wednesday, October 16. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Rail-Road Kashi Bridge will be built in place of the 137-year-old Malviya Bridge. As per the traffic capacity, the upcoming bridge will be one of the biggest bridges in the world. The bridge in Varanasi will feature four railway lines and a six-lane highway. It will span over one kilometre in length. The construction cost for the project is estimated at Rs 2,642 crore, as per Vaishnaw. In such a situation, let us look at some of the biggest railroad bridges in the world.
Øresund Bridge (Denmark-Sweden) –
This bridge connects Copenhagen, Denmark, Malmo and Sweden. This bridge is about 8 kilometres long and has two levels: the upper level carries road traffic, while the lower level carries trains. This bridge is an important link between Scandinavia and Europe.
Tsing Ma Bridge (Hong Kong)-
This suspended bridge connects the Hong Kong city to its international airport. It carries six lanes of road traffic and two railway tracks at the lower level, making it an all-weather transport facility.
Chaotianmen Bridge (China)-
It is a double-decker arch bridge in Chongqing, China. The upper level carries road traffic and the lower level carries railway tracks. The bridge is located over the Yangtze River. With its main span, it is the longest through-arch bridge in the world.
George Washington Bridge (USA) –
This is a famous road bridge in New York City, with a lower level, which was historically designed for roads and railways. The bridge is located over the Hudson River and connects Manhattan to New Jersey.
Quebec Bridge (Canada) –
It is a cantilever bridge located in Quebec, Canada. Its double-decker design handles road traffic on one level and rail traffic on the other. This bridge is important for its length and engineering.
Sydney Harbour Bridge (Australia) –
It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Australia. It has eight lanes for road traffic, two railway tracks and pedestrian paths, making it an important part of Sydney’s transport network.
