A study of the structural performance and engineering application of a long lasting composite bridge with tubular steel flanges was carried out. The flexural, shear and torsional resistance of high-performance composite girders with tubular flanges were analysed comparatively based on tests and finite element simulation. Based on the research and design rules achieved above, the first two typical composite girder bridges with rectangular tubular flanges using high-performance weathering steel have been constructed in China. The structural performances were compared of a composite girder bridge with tubular flanges and a composite girder bridge adopting traditional I-shaped steel girders. A long-term performance evaluation was conducted for a weathering steel composite bridge with tubular flanges, which included an in situ inspection and rating assessment of the patina and life cycle cost evaluation of the whole bridge. Learned from the application experience and evaluation results, weathering steel composite girder bridges with tubular flanges revealed superior long lasting structural performance including improved torsional stiffness and resistance, fewer web stiffeners and cross beams, fast construction, and easy and less maintenance during the in-service stage.