For centuries, bridges have played a vital role in human civilization, serving as a reliable mode of transportation over obstacles like rivers, valleys, and mountains. Throughout history, architects and engineers have designed remarkable structures that fulfill their intended function and highlight the brilliance of human innovation. What are the top steepest bridges in the world?
The slope or angle of elevation is an essential aspect of bridge design that significantly affects a bridge’s appearance, practicality, and safety. This article will examine the world’s top five steepest bridges and delve into the features that make them exceptional.
What is the need for bridges in the world?
Building a bridge over an impassable gap or chasm is a common engineering practice. Most of the first bridges built in history were trees that fell across a river or a log. Due to the difficulty of crossing an area, the people of the villages had many problems with their education and health conditions. For these reasons, bridges were built worldwide for infrastructure development.
1. Eshima Ohashi Bridge
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan spans Lake Nakaumi, linking the towns of Matsue and Sakaiminato. This concrete and steel structure, completed in 2004, stretches over 1.7 kilometers with a maximum slope of 6.1%. The bridge’s steepness is emphasized by its distinctive design, which includes a steep incline at each end. From a distance, the Eshima Ohashi Bridge looks like a rollercoaster, resulting in the moniker “rollercoaster bridge.”
Despite the steep incline, the Eshima Ohashi Bridge is deemed safe for vehicle traffic if motorists adhere to a reasonable speed. The bridge was designed this way to allow ships to pass underneath, given that the water level in the lake varies significantly throughout the year.
2. China’s Danyan – Kunshan Bridge
The following unique bridge is Danyang – Kunshan, among the top steepest bridges in the world. There are many reasons why it is fantastic. It’s the longest bridge in the world with a length of 164.8 km. A bridge can connect two cities or regions.
Accordingly, the Danyang – Kunshan bridge connects Shanghai and Nanjing in China. More than 10,000 workers participated in the construction of this vast Chinese bridge. Therefore, it took a long time of 4 years to complete the bridge. The most prominent part of this Danyang-Kunshan Bridge is the 9-kilometer-long section that spans Yanchen Lake.
If we talk about the bridge’s strength, these have strong resilience even in high cyclones and earthquakes up to 8 on the Richters. The bridge also works for a high-speed train, and the design speed was a significant factor.
This bridge’s maximum train speed must be designed to be 380 km/h. As one of the top steepest bridges in the world, China Road and Bridge Corporation, an extensive engineering and construction company, has contributed to adequately creating the world’s longest bridge. They have won awards for the Danyang-Kunshan Bridge and the CRBC Bridge.
3. Hussaini Hanging Bridge
Located in Pakistan’s Hunza Valley and spanning the Hunza River, the Hussaini Hanging Bridge is not a modern engineering feat but a traditional suspension bridge made of wood and rope. Despite its lack of contemporary construction, what sets this bridge apart is its steepness, suspended over a deep gorge.
The Hussaini Hanging Bridge has become a popular tourist destination due to its thrilling and precarious appearance, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for those daring enough to cross it. However, the bridge poses risks as the wooden planks can be slippery, and the ropes may break under the weight of too many people.
4. Sidu River Bridge
Located in China’s Hubei province, the Sidu River Bridge spans the Sidu River Canyon and is a suspension bridge completed in 2009. With a total length of 1,222 meters and a maximum slope of 6.6%, the bridge’s height and steepness make it one of the most impressive structures in the world.
It appears to soar over the surrounding mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The bridge’s construction was a testament to the human spirit, as it faced numerous challenges due to the location’s susceptibility to strong winds, earthquakes, and landslides. Nevertheless, the engineers persevered and created a functional and aesthetically pleasing structure.
5. Japan’s Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Another of the longest and highest suspension bridges is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan. It is 3,911 meters long, and the towers are 298 meters high. These pillars and cables support the weight of the half-bridge. Regarding the bridge’s design’s toughness, it can withstand earthquakes of up to 8.5 on the Richter scale.
As one of the top steepest bridges in the world, the other specialty here is that there are 20 mass dampers tuned as an engineering technique for the towers. Also, the bridge can withstand winds of up to 286 kilometers per hour and extreme sea currents. Here unique TMDs cancel the wind swing to the bridge and balance it.
Akashi Bridge is also known as Pearl Bridge in Japan. It is because the bridge lights up in 28 different colors and patterns at night. Veya comes in gorgeous pearls. There is a great engineer behind this great design.
Namely, Satoshi Kashima, a famous Japanese civil engineer. He is truly an expert in bridge engineering. Japanese civil engineer for this bridge. That man is the Executive Director of the Japan Bridge Engineering Center. Since then, he has been working on inspecting and diagnosing national road bridges in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the weakest bridges in the world?
According to a large-scale test, beam bridges are known as the weakest bridges in the world.
Q. What is the most dangerous bridge in the United States?
The Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge is the United States’ most dangerous bridge. It is about 220 feet high and about 1,000 feet long.
Q. Which country has broken the bridge?
Located in Chennai, South India, Broken Bridge is a unique bridge. It was partially broken in 1977 due to heavy blows from the river. This bridge still needs to be repaired. It runs across the Adyar estuary and borders the back of the Theosophical Society.
Final thoughts
Some people find the top steepest bridges in the world while traveling. Another is extremely afraid to go through them. From our above article, there are some fantastic facts about the top steepest bridge in the world that you should know. If you are afraid of heights, stay away from them. However, scaling a tall bridge is never necessary for a more thrilling experience.
