World’s Largest Railroad Viaduct
July 31, 2006
I was recently contacted by Mary Everett of Greene County, Indiana who wondered about the Greene County Railroad Viaduct. She informed me of area claims which state that the 700m (2,295ft) long, 48m (157ft) high railroad viaduct is the “third largest such structure in the world”. She asked if I was aware of any evidence to support or refute that claim.
To define largest is always somewhat complicated. We could assume this means longest, but that ignores the height. Which of those should we give greater precedence to? To be larger does it need to defeat both or just one? It’s my opinion that beating both makes an obvious winner, but substantially beating in either still makes it “larger”. Additional complexity comes in deciding whether or not to consider width or spans. Finally, what is meant exactly by “such structure.” I assume we are only talking about viaducts used to carry rail. However, what is the difference between a bridge and a viaduct? As far as I can tell, a viaduct is a type of bridge that is multi-span and has to carry vehicles.
With those decision criteria established, I decided to use Wikipedia’s List of Bridges By Length as a starting point. Here is what I found…
The Binhai Mass Transit, Bridge No. 1 in China is 25,800m (84,645ft) long. They do not state how high this bridge is, yet it is without a doubt the longest bridge in the world that carries rail. Finally, the bridge carries two-way commuter rail.
China also has the second longest bridge. The Kam Sheung Road-Tuen Mun viaduct which is part of KCR West Rail in Hong Kong is 13,400m (43,963ft) long. Again, the height of this bridge was not stated. This bridge also carries two-way commuter rail.
To find the third longest rail bridge you need to travel to either Denmark or Sweden as the Oresund Bridge connects these two countries with a length of 7,845m (25,732ft). The only height measurement of the Oresund Bridge given is to say the highest pillar is 204m (669ft). This measurement is not extraordinarily useful in making a judgement since standard traffic runs on an upper level while trains run on a lower deck.
Finally we reach the largest rail bridge in the United States with the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana measuring in at 7,003m (22,996ft) and 41m (135ft) high. This is also a bridge that combines rail and standard traffic. The rail viaduct is much longer and extends elevated into the city of New Orleans.
The list continues on Wikipedia, but at this point it seems clear that the Greene County Railroad Viaduct is stretching to claim third largest such structure. In fact, I’m left wondering which three they specifically are claiming rank above them…
One other bridge you may find from a simple Google search for world’s largest railroad viaduct”. The Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct or Nicholson Bridge is 724m (2,375 ft) in length and 73m (240ft) high. This bridge makes claim to be the World’s Largest Concrete Railroad Bridge. I wasn’t prepared to disprove this as it seems pretty specific.
The Greene County Railroad Viaduct is still a very unique and amazing structure. I was sorry to have to disprove it’s status as the people in the region seem very proud of it. Thanks again to Mary for piquing my curiosities and for sending me along some great pictures of the viaduct.
Tags: Binhai Mass Transit, bridge, bridges, china, denmark, google, greene county, hong kong, Huey P. Long Bridge, indiana, Jefferson Parish, Kam Sheung Road-Tuen Mun viaduct, KCR West Rail, largest rail bridge, largest railroad viaduct, longest railroad bridge, longest railroad viaduct, Louisiana, mary everett, New Orleans, oresund, Oresund Bridge, rail,Greene County Railroad Viaduct, railroad, railroad bridge, railroad viaduct, sweden, Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, Tunkhannock Viaduct, viaduct, viaducts, wikipedia, World's Largest Concrete Railroad Bridge
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9 Responses to “World’s Largest Railroad Viaduct”
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Thank you for your information, it was all very interesting. Please feel free to send me any more info you may find. Plus I am acctually from Sullivan County, (Dugger, Indiana), but I am in Greene County often.
Thanks again
Mary
Hello, just wanted you to know that we did a site redesign and the information for the viaduct can now be found at http://www.visitgreenein.com/attractions_viaduct.php
Thanks, Kegan Inman
Excellent information here about that bridge.
Great report! However, what I had always been told was that the viaduct in Greene County Indiana was the tallest (possibly the longest) steel span “railroad” viaduct in North America. Could this be possible?
From the city webpage…
With the growth of coal mining in the city, the population of Lethbridge continued to grow. Need for rail line access for the mines saw the construction of bridge. Beginning in August of 1908, the bridge was completed June 22, 1909 and officially opened on November 1, 1909. It cost a whopping $1,334,525.00 to build.
This bridge is still the longest and highest of its kind in the world reaching 5,327.625 feet long (1.6km) and 314 feet high (96 meters). In its time is has been described by some as one of the wonders of the world!
This CPR rail line has stood the test of time and is still used today with numerous trains crossing the bridge throughout the day.
http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Landmarks/High+Level+Bridge/High+Level+Bridge.htm
Pretty cool……
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The Moodna viaduct in New York is, according to Wikipedia, the longest (3200′) and tallest (193′) railroad trestle east of the Mississippi River. It was built in the same era as the Tulip Trestle and still carries daily passenger traffic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moodna_Viaduct
Lethbridge’s is a lot bigger, 5,328 feet long and 313.97 feet high.