The Guinness Book of World Records has announced that the United Arab Emirates has built the world’s longest steel arch bridge, with a length of 32.7 metres.
The Shammal Bridge is based in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s northernmost emirate.
The bridge can carry up to 2,000 vehicles per hour, and will have a 104 year life span.
The UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development said construction on the steel span bridge took half as long to build when compared to a concrete equivalent.
Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE’s Minister of Infrastructure Development, said: “Arch steel structures, in line with the Ministry’s innovative approach and future projects, consist of corrugated iron sheets that are installed as per preapproved designs and project requirements.
“The new bridge does not need any regular maintenance as is the case with other bridges.”
The Shammal Bridge deposes a 26m steel arch bridge in Poland as world-record holder.
Image courtesy of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s Facebook page
