Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
Monday, 3rd April 2006 by Alex Turnbull
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.
About the author
Alex has decided that his title will be Senior Vice President of Stuff.
I’m confused. The bridge was completed in 1998, yet was stretched one meter in 1995? Did the earthquake occur late enough during construction to cause the stretch but early enough to happen three years before opening day? Or does Wikipedia have the dates wrong?
Good point Parker. Wikipedia states that:
> Actual construction did not begin until May 1988 and the bridge was opened for traffic on April 5, 1998.
So we can only assume that the earthquake did indeed happen during construction.
The bridge was stretched during construction, but studies showed that construction could continue safely.
to the west of that photo, in the middle of the bay is a perfect rectangle. What is it?
Heloo everybody,
My name is Mohit Bakhshi and my email address is [email protected]. I am an independent film maker who live sand works in Mumbai,India. I will be directing and producing a commercial for a client of mine..for which I require good quality moving footage of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. I need only a Ten second Shot underneath whichj I will put a graphic Caption saying ” The longest Bridge in the World “.
Can you please help me by putting me in touch with the right website or authorities whom I may speak with and get the footage.
Thank You so very much.
Warm regards
Mohit Bakhshi
I don’t know where to find any video clips like that, but you might do a google search for “stock footage” + film, Stock footage companies would probably be the easiest way to go. On the Earthquake, it occured on Jan. 17, 1995, and the “towers were completed, cable strands had been placed ” but the entire span hadn’t been placed according to “Civil Engineering, Feb. 1998,” Also, according to the ones building the bridge, Matsuo Builders, , the bridge moved 0.8m, not 1.0m.
A map of the akashi kaikyo bridge why it was build?
where can i find the information about Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge that is including construction of the structure, challenges occurs during construction and problem solving techniques used.
I believe the giant rectangle is the shadow of a borg cube.