The longest bridges in Southeast Asia are a diverse bunch. For starters, several happen to be elevated roads or tollways which isn’t exactly the first type of bridge that springs to mind. While some are architecturally stunning, others were designed, how do we put this nicely, to focus on functionality.
Many of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia are new which obviously coincides with the region’s rapid development. Only one was opened before 2000 and quite a few were completed during the past few years.
As for this list, we are focusing on car bridges. While there are several rail bridges in Southeast Asia that would qualify here, these aren’t particularly memorable. They tend to be really long, public transit structures, such as the Airport Rail Link line in Bangkok.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the longest bridges in Southeast Asia.
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The 7 longest bridges in Southeast Asia
Bang Na Expressway
Thailand
Length: 54 kilometers
Opened: 2000
Having driven on Bang Na Expressway, I must say, it doesn’t feel like a bridge at all. The elevated toll highway connects suburban Bangkok to Chonburi and Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard. It’s very long and sits above route 34 which is one reason you don’t really think about it as a bridge.
The Bang Na Expressway was actually the world’s longest bridge when it opened in 2000 and remains the longest car bridge to this day. The length is certainly impressive even if you don’t always realize just how long it is.
Temburong Bridge
Brunei
Length: 30 kilometers
Opened: 2020
There are many articles out there mistakenly listing Temburong Bridge as Southeast Asia’s longest bridge. It is not. However, the road is still quite remarkable and it is the longest bridge over water in the region.
Brunei built the Temburong Bridge to connect the country’s mainland with its Temburong district which is separated on land by Malaysia. Prior to its opening in 2020, the journey took two hours each way and required drivers to pass through a pair of border crossings. This was not ideal. The journey takes 30 minutes these days.
Penang Second Bridge
Malaysia
Length: 24 kilometers
Opened: 2014
As you can guess by the name, this is the second bridge that connects Penang to mainland Malaysia. The 24-kilometer toll bridge is best known for its winding “S” curves. Original plans called for a floating rest and service area to be located in the middle, but those were scrapped due to high costs.
Penang Bridge
Malaysia
Length: 13.5 kilometers
Opened: 1985
Nearly 30 years before the Penang Second Bridge welcomed drivers, Penang Bridge ushered in a new era for the island with it being possible to drive directly to mainland Malaysia. In 2009, the entire structure was expanded from four to six lanes. Initially, only the center span had six lanes.
So, which bridge is more popular? It’s the first Penang Bridge by far. In fact, many people find the location of the second bridge to be inconvenient.
Bhumibol Bridge
Thailand
Length: 13 kilometers
Opened: 2006
Thailand’s longest bridge may not be much to look at, but the second longest one is visually stunning. Bhumibol Bridge is actually made up of two bridges that are connected by an interchange in the middle. This is one of the coolest bridges to drive over and is definitely worth checking out the next time you’re in Bangkok.
Bali Mandara Toll Road
Length: 12.7 kilometers
Opened: 2013
Bali Mandara Toll Road was designed to be a shortcut allowing tourist to get from Ngurah Rai International Airport to popular destinations in Southern Bali. The bridge covers water which was a necessity since the other roads serving the airport couldn’t be expanded. While it may not be much to look it, you won’t really mind since you’re probably in Bali for the other sights anyway.
NAIA Expressway
Length: 11.6 kilometers
Opened: 2016
Ninoy Aquino International Airport is kind of a nightmare, but at least getting to or away from it isn’t so bad nowadays. The completion of NAIA Expressway in 2016 allowed people to avoid the perpetually congested NAIA Road. It may not be much to look at, but this is the most beneficial bridge on the list in my opinion.
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