Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

Monday, 3rd April 2006 by

This is the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge in Japan - the largest suspension bridge in the world. Suspension bridges are measured by the length of their main span (i.e. the longest distance between suspension towers), and the Akashi-Kaikyo has an absolutely massive central span of 1991 metres - the longest bridge span in the world in fact.

Actually, it used to be 1990 metres but was stretched a full metre in the Kobe earthquake of January 17, 1995.

The bridge has a total length of nearly 4 kilometres, was completed in 1998 and cost around 5 billion US dollars to build - unfortunately it seems that the bridge toll is so high that most drivers still prefer to use the ferries. Oh well.

More info on the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge is available over at Wikipedia, where they also have a comprehensive list of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

Thanks to Jonathan Louie, belola, Trey Hunner and Kevertje.