The most incredible bridges in the world. The longest bridges in the world The largest bridge structures

This list includes the ten longest bridges in the world built across bodies of water. I hope you find it informative. Enjoy reading.

WEST Gate – 2582.6 meters

WEST Gate Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge in Melbourne, Australia. It crosses the Yarra River and serves as an important link between the inner city industrial suburbs and the city of Geelong. This is one of the busiest road corridors in Australia. The height of the bridge above the water is 58 meters and its length is about 2.5 kilometers.

Third Mainland – 11.8 km

Third Mainland is the longest of the three bridges connecting seaport Lagos in Nigeria with the mainland. This is the longest bridge in Africa. It was built and opened to traffic in 1990. Its length is about 11.8 km.

Rio Niteroi – 13.29 km

Rio Niteroi is also known as the President Costa e Silva Bridge. Located on Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It connects the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. The length of the bridge is 13,290 meters.

Penang Bridge – 13.5 km

The Penang Bridge connects the town of Gelugor on Penang Island with the mainland of Penang State - Seberang Perai on the Malacca Peninsula. Construction began in 1982, and the opening of the bridge took place on September 14, 1985. Its length is 13.5 km.

Vasco da Gama – 17.2 km

Vasco da Gama is a cable-stayed bridge that was built in 1998 over the Tagus River northeast of Lisbon (Portugal). It is considered the longest bridge in Europe, its length is 17.2 km.

Incheon – 21.38 km

Incheon - a bridge located in South Korea. It was built in October 2009. It extends over a distance of about 21.3 km. Serves as a link between Songdo and international airport Incheon.

King Fahd Bridge – 25 km

This bridge is named after the King of Saudi Arabia, Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. It has four lanes, 25 kilometers long. It was completed in 1986. It took 15 years and approximately $1.2 billion to build. From the point of view of trade and commerce, the structure is of great importance - it connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Manchac Swamp – 36.69 km

Manchac Swamp is a bridge located in Louisiana, USA. Its length is about 36.6 km. Construction of MANCHAC SWAMP was completed in 1970. Considered the busiest bridge in the United States.

Causeway Bridge over Lake Pontchartrain – 38.42 km

This bridge is located over Lake Pontchartrain. Connects the towns of Metairie and Mandeville. The length of the bridge is about 38.4 km.

It is considered one of the oldest bridges in the world because the idea for its construction dates back to the 19th century, but construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1956. Interestingly, the bridge is supported by more than 9,000 concrete piles.

Qingdao Bridge – 42.5 km

Qingdao Bridge is located over the northern part of Jiaozhou Bay. Connects the city of Qingdao with the suburban industrial area of ​​Huangdao. Its length is approximately 42.5 kilometers. The bridge took 4 years to build and was completed in 2011.

The Qingdao Bridge will also soon cease to be the longest bridge built across water spaces, since in December 2009 work began on the almost 50-kilometer Macau-Zhuhai-Hong Kong bridge across the estuary Pearl River in southern China.

Bridges are built every year around the world with a length of 1 to 100 km. The largest of them are built for cars, less often - for trains and pedestrians. They are erected in different types of buildings (mounted, arched, cable-stayed).

The longest bridge in the world is located in China. Due to the large population, most of the long bridges are built by this state. As a result of industrialization, China not only began to develop cities, but also to establish infrastructure.

Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct

The Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct is currently the longest of all. Construction took place from 2008 to 2011, more than $10 billion was spent on construction. To speed up production, the bridge was built on both sides simultaneously, towards each other.

Its length is 164.8 km, connecting 2 eastern Chinese cities: Nanjing and Shanghai. Part of this bridge, 9 km, runs over Lake Yangcheng. Concrete structures for it were produced simultaneously by 10 factories, and 10 thousand people participated in the work. On the path of the bridge there are lakes and mountains in which tunnels were specially built.

The longest bridge in the world is the Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct.

The Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct is a high-tech railway with only 5 stations. The project is manufactured in such a way that it can withstand strong earthquakes and various natural disasters.

Great Tianjin

The Tianjin Viaduct (Great Tianjin) is ranked 2nd in the ranking of the largest viaducts in the world. Construction took place from 2008 to 2011 in the People's Republic of China. It is approximately 113.7 km long, connecting Beijing, Langfang and Qingxian.

Like the Danyang-Kunshan overpass, this one is also a railway, which is used daily by modern high speed trains. It takes less than an hour to get from Beijing to the last station.

Bridge over Wei

In 3rd place there is also a railway bridge from China. The length of this overpass is 79.73 km, connecting the cities of Xi'an and Zhengzhou. Construction was completed in 2008, but the building was commissioned in 2010. As it travels, the overpass across Wei crosses not only roads and tracks railway, but also twice Lake Wei.

At the time of its opening, this overpass was the largest in the world.

But already in 2011, the PRC built the Tianjin and Danyang-Kunshan viaducts, twice surpassing the previous 1st place. There is an opinion that it was after the stunning success with the path through Wei that they decided to implement even more ambitious ideas.

Bang Na Highway

The longest bridge in the world for cars is the Bang Na highway, which is 54 km long. Construction took place over 5 years, from 1995 to 2000. The cost of such a project cost Thailand $1 billion. The highway has a total of 6 lanes (3 in one direction and 3 in the other direction).

The construction of Bang Na was carried out in order to eliminate large traffic jams in the direction of the city of Bangkok. The highway is tolled, but if you don’t want to pay, there is an overland alternative. The bridge is in demand among motorists because it allows you not only to get to your destination without traffic jams, but also to admire beautiful views.

Qingdao Bridge

The Qingdao Bridge is currently in 5th place among the longest overpasses in the world, as well as in 1st place among those laid over water. It passes directly through Jiaozhou Bay, opening the route from Qingdao to Huangdao in the People's Republic of China. The length of this path is 42.5 km. The Qingdao Bridge was completed in 2011; its construction lasted for 4 years.

A total of 10 thousand people worked on it in simultaneous construction towards each other.

This structure cost 5.5 billion pounds. More than 450 thousand tons of metal structures were used in its construction. It was designed to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake and natural disasters, as well as a direct impact from a ship with a displacement of 300 thousand tons. According to statistics, approximately 30 thousand cars pass along this overpass every day.

Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge

The bridge-dam across Lake Pontchartrain is currently located in 9th place and in 2nd place after the Qingdao overpass along the routes laid over the sea. Its length is 38.4 km. It connects 2 cities: Metairie and Mandeville and is a causeway. Built in 1956, and began operation in 1969. The total price of such a project is $56.7 million.

Throughout its existence, this overpass was tolled (with the exception of incidents during Hurricane Katrina). Since its opening, entry to it from any direction has cost motorists $1.50. Since 1999, entry fees on the northern side have been removed, and entry fees on the southern side have been doubled.

During its existence, the Pontchartrain Dam Bridge was not destroyed, thereby surviving Hurricane Katrina and 3 collisions with a barge. The first collision occurred on January 17, 1960, due to thick fog, a barge crashed into the base of the bridge, no one was injured.

On June 16, 1964, a second collision occurred. Early in the morning, a tug with two barges crashed into the base of the bridge, collapsing 4 of its spans. As a result, 6 people who were passing through it on a bus at that moment died.

The 3rd incident occurred on August 1, 1974. Then at the same time several barges collided with the base and brought down 3 spans. Several cars fell down, killing 3 people.

Hangzhou Bay Bridge

The largest transoceanic overpass in the world across Hangzhou Bay (Great Transoceanic Bridge) connects 2 cities: Ningbo and Shanghai in the People's Republic of China with a length of 36 km. Construction of the bridge lasted 5 years, from 2003 to 2008. Designed for road transport and has 6 lanes (3 in one direction and 3 in the opposite direction).

In total, the cost of such a bridge cost approximately $1.4 billion. The design of the routes across the Hangzhou Bay was developed and modified over a period of 10 years. Was conceived to develop and raise tourism business in the city of Ningbo.

Shanghai Maglev

The Shanghai Maglev Bridge is a 30 km long railway bridge that connects Longyang Lu MRT Station with Pudong Airport. This bridge is known for having one of the fastest maglev trains, reaching speeds of 431 km/h. He covers the entire distance in just 7 minutes. 20 sec. The project cost China $1.3 billion.

The cost of travel on such a train is approximately $7.5, but discounts are provided for air passengers.

Initially, this railway bridge was supposed to be extended to 175 km, but then the work was frozen. At the moment, it is believed that this bridge will no longer be extended, but there has been no official announcement about this.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a system of 6 tracks, 2 of which are underwater tunnels, and another 4 pass along artificial embankments. This bridge system is located in Virginia, USA, its length is approximately 28.4 km. Construction was completed in 1964, and in 1999 the overwater tracks were expanded, replacing 2 lanes with 4.

The underwater part of the bridge remained two-lane. For some time, this project was called one of the 7 wonders of engineering. You can enjoy a ride through the bridge-tunnel over the Chesapeake Bay for $12.

King Fahd Bridge

King Fahd Bridge is a complex of tracks and dams located in the city of Al Khobar. It is named after King Fahd bin Abdulazizi Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Construction lasted 4 years, from 1982 to 1986. The length of the overpass is 25 km, and the cost is $1.2 billion. The entire complex consists of 5 bridges.

In 2011, the location played a positive role on the strategic component of the country, allowing it to quickly transport 1 thousand military personnel and 500 police officers from the UAE to eliminate the disorder in Bahrain.

Cable-stayed bridge in Vladivostok

The longest bridge in the world with an arched span is the cable-stayed bridge in Vladivostok (Russian cable-stayed bridge). It runs through the Eastern Bosphorus Strait and connects Cape Novosilsky and the Nazimov Peninsula. Known for the largest span among all cable-stayed tracks - 1104 m, as well as for its highest point structures – 324 m.

Construction of the cable-stayed bridge began in 2008 and lasted until 2012. The cost of the entire project cost approximately $1 billion.

The longest arch bridges

Bridge table:

Characteristic	Lupu Bridge	Pont de la Libération bridge
Description	Lupu Bridge currently ranks 1st among the longest arched bridges. It is located in the People's Republic of China, Shanghai city. The bridge spans the Huangpu River. Construction lasted 3 years, from 2000 to 2003. This bridge can easily carry about 85 thousand cars per day, since it has 6 lanes (3 in one direction and 3 in the other direction). Also, Lupu is not only the longest, but also the owner of the largest arch span - 550 m. The height is relatively small - only 46 m. ​​Approximately $320 million was spent during construction.	Today, arched bridges have not decreased in popularity; only the technologies and materials with which they are built have changed. The Pont de la Liberation bridge in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France is an exception to all the rules. It was built more than 100 years ago, but in terms of reliability and size it can compete with modern structures. It is laid across the Lot River.
Length	Its length reaches 3900 m.	Its length is 96 m.
Material	45 thousand tons of metal structures were used.	Made from ordinary brick and concrete

The longest suspension bridges

Suspension bridges are those in which the base of the structure is made of flexible structures (chains, cables, cables), and the rest of the structure is suspended.

Among them there are 3:

• Akashi-Kaike.
• Xihoumen Bridge.
• Humber Bridge.

The longest bridge in the world (3911 m) for pedestrians is Akashi-Kaike. Located in Japan, it connects 2 cities: Kobe and Awaji. The decision to build a bridge arose from the unsafety of the previous crossing. Previously, people crossed to the other side by ferry, but storms often pass through this strait. So in 1955, during a strong storm, several ferries sank.

Initially, it was planned to open the bridge for cars and trains, but after construction began, only the automobile part was left. The construction of the Akashi-Kaike Bridge lasted 10 years, from 1988 to 1998. The cost was approximately 500 billion yen. The main problem during construction was the installation of two huge forms for pouring concrete.

Despite strong current, the workers still managed to install them with an error of 10 cm. The bridge cables were pulled using a helicopter. In 1995, another difficulty arose after a sudden magnitude 7 earthquake. The bridge itself remained intact, but the pylon moved 1 m, thereby violating all the engineering solutions of the designers.

We got out of this situation by lengthening the beams and increasing the gaps between the cables.

Over time, the bridge design was refined to be able to withstand an 8-magnitude earthquake and other natural disasters. Xihoumen Bridge is located in the Zhoushan Archipelago, People's Republic of China. The length of the bridge is 2.6 km, and its main section is 1.65 km, due to which it is in first place in this category.

It was built in 4 years, from 2005 to 2009, the start date of operation had to be postponed due to a collision of the vessel with a bridge support. The cost of such a building is 2.5 billion yuan. The Humber Bridge is located in England and spans the River Humber, connecting North Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. It was built back in 1981.

The length of the bridge is 2.2 km and the height is 155 m. It occupies 5th position in the top of the longest single-span suspension bridges. There is a toll on this route: for cars it costs 2.7 pounds sterling, and for trucks it’s more expensive. About 15 thousand cars pass through it every day.

The longest pedestrian bridges

3 longest pedestrian bridges:

1. Europabrücke.
2. Titan RT.
3. Skybridge, Russia.

Europabrücke (European) is currently the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. Its length is 494 m and it lies at an altitude of 85 m. It is located in resort town Zermatt, and the path is laid between him and Grahan. Before construction, there was already a bridge at this place, but later it was damaged by a rockfall, as a result of which it was closed.

It is designed in such a way that it cannot be rocked. Withstands increased loads. It offers a wonderful bird's-eye view of the surrounding area and the Bernese Alps.

The second longest pedestrian suspension bridge is also located in Germany, in the Harz region. Its length is 483 m. It is laid over the Rappbode River, connecting two mountains. Next to the bridge there is a bungee jumping tower and the largest dam in Germany.

The bridge can withstand 200 people on it at the same time, and its railings are covered with a special net to prevent it from falling out. If you want to walk at an altitude of 75 m and admire the views, you should pay 6 euros.

In 3rd place there is a suspended pedestrian bridge Skybridge in Sochi, Russia. Its length is 439 m, and it rises above the deep Akhshtyrskaya depression at an altitude of 207 m. There are 2 special platforms on the bridge from which you can enjoy the surroundings, and the Mzymta River flows under them. In the distance you can see the Black Sea and Caucasus Mountains.

It was designed in such a way that it could withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake, strong storm winds, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

More than 700 thousand metal structures and 2 thousand cubic meters of concrete were used in its construction. For the most extreme, there are 2 attractions on the bridge: a bungee jumping tower 207 meters high and the world's largest suspended swing, its arm length reaches 170 meters.

The longest road bridges

The longest road bridges reach 55 km in length. They are usually subject to speed limits.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is a whole complex of road bridges, it includes:

• Rising highways.
• Cable-stayed tracks.
• Underwater tunnels.

Their total length is 55 km, and the cost was $20 billion.

This network of tracks connects the 3 largest cities in the region:

• Hong Kong.
• Zhuhai.
• Macau.

Construction took 8 years, from 2009 to 2017. The paths were built one by one. During the period of work, the finished parts of the bridge were used for their intended purpose. According to authoritative publications of the People's Republic of China, a large number of workers were injured during its construction. According to the architects' calculations, such a bridge should last approximately 120 years before it becomes necessary to repair it.

The maximum speed that can be reached on these tracks is 100 km/h. The Manchac Swamp Viaduct is a path in Louisiana, USA. Its length reaches 36.7 km, and the cost of such an architectural structure is approximately $165 million. The highway was built through the Manchac Swamp in 1979. Consists of two lines, each of which has 4 stripes.

More than 2,500 cars pass through it every day. The viaduct over the Manchac Swamp is located in Louisiana, USA. Its length reaches 36.7 km, and the cost of such an architectural structure is approximately $165 million. The highway through the Manchac swamp was built back in 1979. The bridge consists of two lines, each of which has 4 lanes, and more than 2,500 cars pass across it every day.

The Zhongyang Bridge connects the two cities of Zhenjiang and Yangzhou and runs over the Yangtze River. The length of the overpass is 35.6 km, and its total cost was approximately $700 million. Its construction lasted 5 years, from 2000 to 2005. Almost the entire complex is an overpass and only over the Yangtze River it is divided into two bridges.

Chinese bridges are considered the longest in the world. They are built when necessary for transportation between major cities. One of the functions is safety, since ferry crossings dangerous during a storm. The construction of bridges makes it possible to speed up travel and reduce traffic congestion.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about the longest bridges in the world

Top 10 longest bridges in the world:

We welcome you again to the pages of our website “Me and the World”! Bridges stretch over water, over land, over abyss. Today we will tell you which is the longest bridge in the world.

When traveling around the world, take a look at the top 10 most long structures, take a closer look at the photo, find out where they are and what they are called. And then walk through them in reality.

In 1st place is the Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct - 164,800 m

The Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct connects the two cities in Eastern China. This is a railway bridge over which several trains can pass at once. Almost 9 km passes over the surface of the water, the rest of the distance the train travels on land. Construction lasted quite a short time, only four years, and 10,000 people worked here. China spent $8.5 billion on the project and it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest in the world.

2nd place goes to Great Tianjin - 113,700 m

This structure continues the high-speed railway line between the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, and was also built in China.

In 3rd place - Bridge over Wei - 79,700 m

Again the Chinese railway bridge. It connects the banks of the Wei River and crosses it twice. Trains began traveling along it in 2010, although it was built in 2008.

4th place – Bang Na Highway – 54,000 m

This is a six-lane highway, but many consider this road to be a bridge because it passes over the ground. The automobile giant is located in Thailand and took 5 years to build. Serious traffic jams convinced the authorities to build this highway and invest more than a billion dollars in it. And although the highway is toll, many motorists and tourists try to drive along it, avoiding traffic jams and admiring the surrounding views.

Middle of the ranking – Qingdao – 42,500 m

The largest automotive project across the water. The entire 42.5 km of the Qingdao Bridge goes over the bay. It took 4 years to build, and during this time it cost 10 billion dollars. Every day, up to 30,000 cars pass on the road, and only half an hour of time is saved. Some are surprised: why was it necessary to spend so much money from the budget to save 30 minutes?

6th place – Pontchartrain Dam Bridge – 38,420 m

Also goes through the water of Lake Pontchartrain USA. Located in the state of Louisiana and is paid. Now you can drive between the two shores of the lake in just 50 minutes. Very resistant to various elements, but apparently built so low above the water that barges periodically crash into it.

7th place goes to the Hangzhou Bay Bridge - 35,673 m

One of the most beautiful in the world is located in China. Overwater, passing along the Pacific Gulf. The structure is built in the shape of the letter S. Driving through the structure, motorists reduce the distance by 120 km. On the six-lane road you can drive at a speed of 100 km/h. The shelf life is set at 100 years and then the structure will be reconstructed.

In 8th place is the Shanghai Maglev - 30,500 m

This is the most expensive Chinese railway project. It is made on a magnetic suspension. The project cost about 1.6 billion dollars. The road was laid mainly through marshy areas, and every 25 km it was necessary to make concrete pads for supports, and they are expensive. The highest speed of a train on such a bridge is about 430 km/h, but only a minute and a half - after all, there is almost nowhere to accelerate.

9th place goes to the Bridge-Tunnel, which runs across the Chesapeake Bay - 28,140 m

A very interesting structure that becomes an underwater tunnel. Great idea to ride underwater. The building took 35 years to build. The cost to cross the bridge is $12.00 per toll. The cars ride on the surface for some time, and then “go” down into a tunnel under water so that ships can freely sail through the structure.

And the list ends with the King Fahd Bridge - 26,000 m

It consists of several dams and small bridges that connect Saudi Arabia and the state of Bahrain, located on the islands. The name is given in honor of the King of Arabia, who laid the foundation for construction. One of the parts is quite remarkable, because it rises high above the water, like a hill. I would like to tell you about other unique bridges that are not included in the top ten

The longest arched one was built in Shanghai, more than 3.5 km long and about 45 m high

The longest glass curtain wall is again in China with a length of 488 m and a width of 2 m

The structure connects two rocks, and its weight reached 70 tons. When tourists approach the center, it sways slightly. How great this is, but also scary! 500 people can step on it at the same time.

The longest pedestrian cableway runs over the Akhshtyrsky Gorge in Sochi. Length – 439 m and it stretches at an altitude of 207 m

The length of the longest in Europe is 17 km - Vasco da Gama

The structure is quite beautiful and passes over very clear waters. It was built in just a year and a half and was ready for the 500th anniversary of the opening of the route from Europe to India.

In Russia, a long cable-stayed one was built in Vladivostok 3100 m

It is about 29 m wide and weighs 23,000 tons. High pylons rise up to 324 m. Another large cable-stayed one is located in St. Petersburg across the Neva River. It is permanent and has a length of 2884 m.

An unusual “dancing bridge” is laid across the Volga and stretches for 2.5 km

At the end of 2011, it was strengthened with the participation of specialists from Germany.

And here is the current project - the Crimean Bridge

It will be one of the largest in Russia. For 19 km, a road and railway will run side by side from the Taman Peninsula to the coast of Crimea through the sea strait. Opening Crimean bridge: .

We shared information about the longest and most unusual bridges in the world, crossing the sea, land, suspension and railway. Share information with friends on in social networks and see you on the pages of our website!

THE BEST ENGINEERING DESIGNS OF ALL TIME

Surprisingly, the city with the largest number of bridges in Europe is not Venice, as many people think, but Hamburg. This city has more than 2,300 bridges, which is almost 6 times more than in St. Petersburg...

However, the point is not so much in the number of bridges, but in the uniqueness of the most unusual structures. If you think about it, each of these impressive projects, including the newest ones, is capable of glorifying an absolutely unknown place and, at the same time, becoming the most memorable architectural landmark of cities and geoparks with a long history...

VINOGRADOVSKY BRIDGE (1985). KRASNOYARSK. RUSSIA

Vinogradovsky bridge– pedestrian crossing of the Yenisei channel in Krasnoyarsk, favorite place walks of citizens and a tourist symbol of the city. The length of this bridge is 550 m, width is 10 m.

Initially, the bridge was named in honor of the founder of Krasnoyarsk, Andrei Dubensky. However, after some time, by order of the city administration, the unique design was named after the architect-builder Sergei Nikolaevich Vinogradov, the head of Bridge Squad No. 7, who built this bridge.

Thanks to the Vinogradovsky Bridge before desert island Tatyshev has become one of the most popular places in Krasnoyarsk. The two-pylon cable-stayed bridge looks incredibly light and elegant, but precise mathematical calculations allow us to have no doubt about the high reliability of its structures, despite their external weightlessness.

BEIPANJIANG (2016). ZHEJIANG AND YUNNAN PROVINCES, CHINA

Beipanjiang- the new highest cable-stayed bridge on the planet, the three-year construction of which was completed in 2016 in China. The bridge is located in the Beipanjiang Valley in the southwest of the country. The new structure became part of an expressway connecting the provinces of Zhejiang and Yunnan. The bridge passes over the Nizhu River at an altitude of 565 m, which is 25 m higher Ostankino Tower. The length of the bridge is 1,341 m.

As the builders note, the maximum error in the joining of the two halves of the bridge connected recently is only 5 mm!

More than $150 million was spent on the construction of the structure.

Previously, the bridge over the Sydukhe River with a height of 495 m was considered the highest in the world.

ÖRESUN BRIDGE (1999 - 2000). COPENHAGEN, MALMË. DENMARK, SWEDEN

Unique road-railway design Øresundsbron(a compromise between Danish Øresundsbroen and Swedish Öresundsbron ) connects Denmark (Copenhagen) and Sweden (Malmö) through the Oresund Strait. This is the longest combined bridge-tunnel in Europe. The only link between continental Europe and Scandinavia.

The length of the bridge is 7845 m. Two pairs of free-standing 204-meter load-bearing pylons allow navigation in the main span, 490 m long and 57 m high. However, most ships pass unhindered through the strait above the tunnel.

Project architect - George Rothne, structural design - Ove Arup & Partners.

ZHIVOPISNNY BRIDGE (2007). MOSCOW. RUSSIA

Zhivopisny Bridge in Serebryany Bor- across the Moscow River in the west of the Russian capital. The opening of the bridge took place on December 27, 2007.

A competition for the best design of this bridge, which was supposed to connect three banks of the Moscow River at once, was announced in the early 2000s. In the end, the idea of ​​Omsk architects from NPO MOSTOVIK LLC won, who proposed a cable-stayed structure with an unusual arch made of tubular elements.

The length of the Zhivopisny Bridge is 1.5 km, width 40 m, arch height 105 m. The length of the main span is more than 400 meters, which ensures comfortable passage river boats. The main highlight of the Zhivopisny Bridge is its unique Observation deck and a restaurant in the form of an elliptical “flying saucer”, seemingly frozen above the water at a height of 100 meters...

HARBOR BRIDGE (1932). SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA

Harbor Bridge- most big bridge Sydney and one of the largest steel arch bridges in the world. Sydneysiders jokingly call this bridge "The Hanger" due to its distinctive shape. The bridge opened on March 19, 1932. The length of the arched span of the bridge is 503 m. The total length of the bridge is 1,149 m. The width of the bridge is 49 m.

The Harbor Bridge connects the business part of the city ( South coast) from the central (North Shore) and crosses Port Jackson Bay.

One of the bridge towers houses a museum and observation deck, Pylon Lookout, which offers magnificent views of the harbor and city center. To climb along the side arch of the bridge to its top, you only need shoes with rubber soles and a special suit with insurance, which is issued on the spot; an instructor will help you with everything else.

RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER THE KAMA (1899, 1998). Permian. Russia

The Kama railway bridge is one of the largest engineering structures in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. The design of the spans, developed by engineer E.N. Adadurov, was approved by the Construction Directorate of the Siberian Railway on April 30, 1896. Construction began in 1897. The grand opening took place January 27, 1899 in Perm.

In 1919, the second truss of the bridge on the left bank side was destroyed by Kolchak’s retreating troops. However, soon new structures for the destroyed truss were manufactured at the Chusovsky Metallurgical Plant, and already on February 18, 1920, traffic on the Kama Bridge was restored. The bridge has reached our timein a rebuilt form. In 1953, the bridge was widened by dismantling the ice cutters and erecting supports on the existing caisson foundation. Not only Russian, but also German and Hungarian factories were involved in the reconstruction (at the expense of repartees).In 1988, the spans were replaced with new ones according to the project of the Moscow Giprotransput Institute and the Chelyabinsk branch of Giprostroymost.In terms of its length (840 m), the Kama railway bridge is the largest in the Urals. More than two hundred passenger and cargo passengers pass through it every day. trains in both directions.

SKYBRIDGE/SKYBRIDGE/ (2014). SOCHI. RUSSIA

Skybridge– 440-meter suspension bridge in the Akhshtyrsky gorge of the Adler district of Sochi. A wonderful new attraction of the extreme entertainment park SKYPARK AJ HACKETT SOCHI in the maritime Olympic capital of Russia.

Skybridge may be included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest suspension bridge in the world. A 700-meter cable car leads to it. The structure stands at a height of 218 m, reaching 290 m above parts of the gorge, which is especially impressive as the bridge is made of a mesh polymer and appears transparent.

The width of the bridge is only 70 centimeters. The new Sochi landmark was designed by New Zealander AJ Hackett. The bridge offers an impressive view of the Mzymta River. The bridge has platforms for fans of bungee jumping (jumping from a height on a cable). The bridge is capable of withstanding an earthquake of magnitude 9.

GLASS BRIDGE (2015). GEOPARK IN THE YUNTAISHAN MOUNTAINS. CHINA

This is the longest glass bridge in the world. It is located in the Hunan Province Geopark in the Yuntai Mountains at an altitude of 180 m and is considered one of the most terrible on the planet.

The bridge was completely rebuilt in 2015. The previous structure connecting the peaks of Stone Buddha Mountain was made of wood and had deteriorated over time. However, 11 fearless engineers, working 12 hours a day, managed to turn it into a unique 300-meter glass “attraction” that creates the illusion of walking on air at a great height.

Not everyone dares to walk across the Glass Bridge. The base of the bridge is made of double-layer glass 24 millimeters thick, which is 25 times stronger than conventional window glass. The builders claim that the bridge can withstand a load of 800 kilograms per square meter.

Why did the bridge crack?

However, as soon as it opened, the super-strong glass bridge suddenly cracked when one of the tourists dropped a metal thermos of water on it. Eyewitnesses say they were frightened by a loud sound and felt vibrations. Panic set in, people screamed and tried to run away from the bridge, risking running over each other - a word from some blockbuster. Fortunately, it didn’t go beyond the cracks, and no one was hurt. The fall of the thermos damaged only one glass layer out of three. Experts believe that the architects are not to blame. It's all about the features of glass - as a material. As we know from the laws of physics, even bulletproof glass can crack if it hits a certain point. Apparently, the thermos hit just such a point. However, given the presence of several layers of glass, each of which has its own “risk points”, the probability of breaking the bridge completely, even due to a strong blow, is virtually zero.

ECOLOGICAL BRIDGE (2015). HUBEI PROVINCE. CHINA

Built in Hubei Province The world's first ecological low-water bridge above a river. What is noteworthy is that the four-kilometer bridge does not run across the river, but directly along the riverbed, which made it possible not to cut down trees during its construction. The bridge is part of a highway, 10.5 km long. It exactly follows the bends of the river and connects the mountainous district with the central highway. This bridge became a tourist attraction as soon as it opened. And many travelers have already decided to take a ride along the new ecological highway.

AKASHI-KAIKE BRIDGE (1998). ISLANDS OF HONSHU AND AWADZI. JAPAN

Akashi-Kaike Bridge- one of the main works of engineering art in Japan. The longest suspension bridge in the world, reaching almost four kilometers. The length of the steel cables stretched along the bridge is a total of 300 thousand kilometers. This is enough to wrap around the Earth 7.5 times! The bridge crosses the Akashi Strait and connects the city of Kobe on Honshu Island with the city of Awaji on Awaji Island. It is part of one of the three highways connecting Honshu and Shikoku.

Before the construction of the bridge, ferries operated across the Akashi Strait, which was very dangerous due to strong storms. In fact, construction of the bridge began in 1988, and the opening took place on April 5, 1998. First, two concrete foundations for the pylons were built at the bottom of the Akashi Strait. To do this, two huge round forms were placed on the shore for pouring concrete, then they were flooded. The difficulty was to sink them with great precision, but the bridge builders managed this, despite the strong current in the Akashi Strait. For the construction of this bridge, special concrete was developed that does not dissolve in water when poured. The next stage of bridge construction was the pulling of cables, which was carried out using a helicopter. In 1995, when both cables were stretched and the installation of the roadway could begin, a major earthquake of 7.3 magnitude occurred. And due to changes in the topography of the bottom of the strait, one of the pylons moved 1 m to the side, thus violating all calculations. However, engineers found a solution, and construction work was delayed by only a month. Due to the high cost of travel ($20), few car owners use the bridge, preferring to cross the strait by bus or, as before, by ferry.

SUSPENSION BRIDGE. NEPAL

There is a suspension bridge in Nepal, which was created not to decorate the landscape or attract tourists, but for the convenience of local residents. This bridge is stretched over the gorge, and every day hundreds of people and livestock cross it at their own peril and risk due to the lack of any alternatives. The structure of the bridge is very mobile and weak, so walking on it is very scary.

"BRIDGE OF THE MONKEYS". TATTON PARK. GREAT BRITAIN

An almost weightless bridge hovers over the pond, suspended on three huge white balloons in English Tatton Park. The composition is called "Monkey Bridge". The author of the bridge is the French artist Olivier Grossetete. Unfortunately, people are not allowed to run along such a crossing; it’s just a fabulous art installation.

MILLFU VIADUCT. FRANCE

Futuristic bridge over the clouds Millfu Viaduct is located in France. At the time of its construction, the Millau Viaduct was the highest transport bridge in the world. The height of one of its supports reaches 341 m, i.e. she's taller Eiffel Tower and just 40 meters below the Empire State Building in New York. The total length of the bridge is 2,460 m. Driving across this architectural miracle, it seems as if you are taking off.

RAINBOW FOUNTAIN BRIDGE BANPO BRIDGE (2009). SEOUL. KOREA

The fountain bridge is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the bridge on which the world's longest fountain is located (length - 1140 m). The bridge connects the two banks of the Hanshui River in the South Korean city of Seoul and became a fountain only in 2009. To the music, water jets illuminated by multi-colored LEDs move, performing a beautiful dance.

“DRUNKEN BRIDGE”/STORSEISUNDET BRU (1989).
PROVINCE OF MËRE-OG-ROMSDAL. NORWAY

Storseisundet bru- one of the seven unique bridges Atlantic Road» Norway, connecting the mainland and the island of Averøy in the province of Møre og Romsdal. The Storsezandet Bridge is built in such a way that, when approaching, it creates the illusion of a springboard from which you can take off with your car. Locals They call this bridge “Drunk” because its shape constantly changes depending on the viewing angle.

HANGING BRIDGE KIKKI (1991). PREFECTURE MIE. JAPAN

The unique Kikki Y-shaped suspension bridge at the Aoyama Kogen Golf Club in Mie Prefecture was designed in 1991. The length of the bridge is 12 meters. This bridge provides club members with easy access from the clubhouse to the golf course. The uniqueness of the design lies in the fact that the bridge is designed without a single support and can be folded and unfolded. The bridge is controlled by hydraulic pumps in the railings. From an architectural point of view, the Kikki Bridge is incredibly beautiful; its railings are made of precious wood and decorated with very fine carvings in the national style.

BRIDGE-AQUEDUCTWASSERSTRAßENKREUZ MAGDEBURG(2003). BERLIN. GERMANY

Wasserstraßenkreuz Magdeburg is the largest water bridge in Germany, connecting the inland port of Berlin with ports on the Rhine. The length of the bridge is 918 m. The bridge is located 10 km north of the center of Magdeburg. On the right bank of the Elbe near the bridge there is locality Hohenwart.

The idea of ​​building such a bridge was first expressed back in 1919, and by 1938 the Rothensee shiplift and bridge supports were ready. During the First and Second World Wars, construction was delayed. Also, after the division of Germany into the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR, construction was postponed indefinitely by the GDR government. With the reunification of Germany, the construction of the bridge again became a priority. Construction began in 1997 and was completed six years later. In total, 0.5 billion euros were spent on the project. Before the construction of the bridge, ships were forced to make a twelve-kilometer detour through the Rothensee lock along the Elbe and through the Nigripp lock.

BRIDGE PYTHON/PYTHONBRUG (2001). AMSTERDAM. NETHERLANDS

Pythonbrug- a serpentine bridge in Amsterdam connecting the Sporenburg Peninsula with the island of Borneo. This is one of the most bizarre bridges in the world. It was built in 2001. The design and construction of this post was carried out by West 8.

BRIDGE-RESTAURANT AYOLA (2003). GRATZ. AUSTRIA

In 2003, New York architect Vito Acconci created the Iola Island Bridge, which spans the Mur River in the city of Graz. The island part of the bridge is a small restaurant in the middle of the river with an interesting interior and an observation deck.

BRIDGE PONTE VECCHIO (1345). FLORENCE. ITALY

Ponte Vecchio- the oldest bridge in Florence and the only one that has preserved its original appearance. The bridge was built in 1345. Distinctive feature Ponte Vecchio - houses crowded on both sides. In the center of the bridge, a row of buildings is interrupted by an open area from which you can admire the river and other bridges in the city.

ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE (1929). GRAND ARKANSAS RIVER CANYON. USA

366 meter bridge Royal Gorge, designed by George Cole and Frank Stahl in the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River, became the prototype for Jurassic Park. This canyon became especially famous in the mid-19th century. At that time, native silver was found there, but the deposit was quickly depleted. But archaeologists found the remains of dinosaurs in these places, and Canyon City instantly became a popular tourist town, especially for which a unique suspension bridge-attraction with a boardwalk was built. True, in the 1960s, Royal Gorge became notorious as the “suicide bridge”, where those who wanted to take their own lives specially came. Fortunately, at the beginning of the 21st century. They were replaced by tourists who wanted to make extreme jumps from the legendary bridge.

GATESHEAD MILLENNIUM BRIDGE (2001). GATESHEAD, NEWCASTLE. GREAT BRITAIN

The 126-metre Swinging Bridge over the River Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle, built by architects Chris Wilkinson and Jim Eyre to celebrate the new millennium, is a unique lift-and-swing structure. This design is based on two arches connected by cables, one of which serves as a pedestrian path capable of passing small ships underneath; and the other is raised above the water by about 50 m. When a tall vessel approaches the bridge, the bridge performs a pirouette - the so-called “winking eye”, when six hydraulic jacks rotate both arches 40 degrees around the axis connecting their ends and their top points appear at a height of approximately 25 m above the water. Thus, the bridge “winks” about 2000 times a year, and every time a lot of people gather to look at it. The bridge, weighing more than 800 tons, is capable of withstanding a collision with a ship with a displacement of up to 4,000 tons traveling at speeds of up to 4 knots. Gateshead Millennium Bridge has won more than 30 engineering, architectural and design awards. In 2007, the Royal Mint featured him on the reverse of the £1 coin.

SKY BRIDGE/LANGKAWI SKY BRIDGE (2004). LANGKAWI ISLAND. MALAYSIA

Architects: Peter Wyss, Höltschi & Schurter Dipl. Ing. ETH/SIA AG.

The mysteriously curved “Sky Bridge” actually seems to be floating over an abyss at an altitude of 700 m above sea level. Langkawi Sky Bridge is located near the top of Mount Mat Chichang on the resort island of Langkawi. Once a hiding place for pirates of the Andaman Sea, it is now a UNESCO Geopark. The length of the bridge is 125 m. It is supported by just one column and cables fixed in the rocks. Cable car in two stages with an intermediate stop, it takes tourists to a viewing bridge at an altitude of 712 m, from where a view of the gorges, the sea and the nearby islands of Thailand opens. In 2005, the bridge was awarded an award at the international Footbridge competition.

TRANSFORMER BRIDGE/ROLLING BRIDGE (2005). PADDINGTON. GREAT BRITAIN

The unique octagonal transformable bridge in Paddington literally unfolds every Friday at noon, turning into a 12-meter footpath over the boat channel adjacent to the canal between London and Birmingham.

The English sculptor Thomas Heatherwick, who created this miracle together with Anthony Hunt and Pacman Lucas, spied the principle of operation of this “segmented kinetic sculpture” from... a garden caterpillar. Hydraulic pistons are hidden in the folding metal parapet of the bridge, synchronously unfolding and collapsing the bridge, which received the prestigious British Structural Steel Design Award in 2005.

HENDERSON WAVES (2008). SINGAPORE

This 36-meter footbridge is the tallest in Singapore. It links Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park.

The length of the bridge is 274m. The design of the bridge is quite unusual. Seven ribbed steel bulges above and below the bridge deck form a system of side niches that provide seating areas with benches and tables. The internal decoration of the bridge is made of yellow balau wood, the external one is made of ribbed plate metal structures, in which lighting fixtures are hidden for beautiful night illuminations.

GESHER HA-MEITARIM (2008).ISRAEL

The 360-meter bridge at the intersection of Herzl Boulevard and Jaffa Road in Jerusalem is a double anniversary: ​​it was created for the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel and is the fortieth bridge in the work of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. According to the architect, the bridge for the light rail line with pedestrian walkways, suspended on 66 cables, assembled into a single parabolic structure on one pylon 119 m high, symbolizes the harp of King David. The first two years after the opening, before the launch of the tram line, the bridge was exclusively pedestrian, contrary to forecasts and objections, becoming one of the architectural landmarks ancient city. The new bridge unexpectedly found itself at the center of a political scandal. It lies on the border of East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel during the Six-Day War and is still legally considered occupied Palestinian territory. PLO hardliners vehemently opposed the construction and threatened to sue the Israeli government.

PONT GUSTAVE-FLAUBERT (2008). ROUAN.FRANCE

Pont Gustave-Flaubert is located in Rouen and is considered the highest drawbridge in Europe (total height 91 m, lifting height of the roadway 55 m). Its length is 670 m. The bridge was designed by Aymeric Zoublin, Michel Virlogeau and Francois Gillard in such a way that not only cruise ships, but also sailing ships participating in the Rouen Armada ship parade could pass under it. By the way, its opening took place before the next “Armada”. The bridge is named after the French writer Gustave Flaubert, who was born in Rouen, and its lifting mechanism is launched 30-40 times a year. Each highway surface has its own lifting section. At the same time, the opening between the bridge platforms, hanging over the river at a height of 7 m, partially preserves the flow of sunlight to the water under the bridge, which supports the natural ecosystem of the river.

BRIDGE OF PEACE (2010). TBILISI. GEORGIA

The 156-meter pedestrian bridge of Peace over the Kura River, connecting Old Tbilisi with new microdistricts, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the Georgian capital.

Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi. Photo: soloway.org.ua

The bridge, with its Norman Foster-inspired glass panel canopy, was designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi and French lighting designer Philippe Martineau.

An interesting illumination system is built into the design of the Peace Bridge: in the evening and at night, every hour, 30,000 light bulbs broadcast a message in Morse code, visible on both parapets of the bridge. This message is composed of the names of the elements of the periodic table that make up human body. According to the architect, "this message is a hymn to life and peace between people and nations." For Tbilisi, this bridge played the same role as the Eiffel Tower for Paris, becoming a new symbol of the ancient city, being a modern technological construction.

MOSES BRIDGE (2011). FORT ROVER. NETHERLANDS

Moses Bridge- the newest of the unusual bridges in the world. It is located in Fort Roover, built back in the 17th century. as part of the Brabant line of structures protecting Holland from the invasion of the French and Spaniards.

During the large-scale reconstruction of the fort, the designers were given a difficult task - to throw a bridge over the fortress moat for tourists, making it almost invisible. The architects coped with the task brilliantly; the bridge was designed in such a way that the pedestrian deck is below the water level. From a distance it is invisible, but upon closer inspection it resembles a small ditch cutting through a river. Hence the name in honor of the prophet Moses, before whom the waters parted. The bridge is made of specially treated and resistant aquatic environment wood "Moses Bridge" was one of the finalists in the prestigious Dutch Design Awards.