Notable suspension bridges worldwide

The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County across the strait of the same name. This 2737-meter suspension bridge was completed in 1937 and was the longest of its kind in the world at that time. The distinctive orange-red color was chosen to enhance visibility in fog and blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. The two main towers rise 227 meters above sea level.

The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge spans the Akashi Strait, connecting the city of Kobe with Awaji Island. With a main span of 1991 meters, this suspension bridge holds the world record for the longest central span between two bridge towers. The structure was completed in 1998 and had to withstand extreme environmental conditions, including typhoons, strong ocean currents, and seismic activity. The two main towers of the bridge rise 297 meters above sea level. The structure carries thousands of vehicles daily and forms part of the link between Honshū and Shikoku islands.

The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883 and served as the first fixed connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River. This suspension bridge, with its distinctive neo-Gothic stone towers, spans 1,825 meters and became a model for numerous subsequent bridge constructions. Designed by John Augustus Roebling, the bridge has connected the two boroughs for over 140 years and is used daily by thousands of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

Tower Bridge spans the River Thames, connecting the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark. This bascule bridge was constructed between 1886 and 1894, featuring two towers in Gothic Revival style linked by elevated walkways at 42 meters above the river. The central section can be raised to allow tall ships to pass through. The structure combines steel with Portland stone cladding and includes hydraulic mechanisms originally powered by steam engines.

The Tsing Ma Bridge connects Tsing Yi Island to Ma Wan, forming a major transport link in Hong Kong. This suspension bridge carries both road and rail traffic and provides the main connection to the international airport. With a main span of 1,377 meters, it ranks among the longest bridges of its type worldwide. The structure features two levels: the upper deck carries a six-lane highway, while the lower sheltered deck accommodates two railway tracks and two emergency road lanes. Completed in 1997, the bridge serves thousands of commuters and travelers daily.

The George Washington Bridge spans the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan to Fort Lee in New Jersey. The bridge opened in 1931 and features two decks carrying a total of 14 lanes of traffic. With a main span of 1,067 meters, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of completion. The upper level was operational at opening, while the lower level was added in 1962. The two steel towers rise 184 meters above the water and support the suspension cables from which the roadway hangs.

The Bosphorus Bridge has connected the European and Asian sides of Istanbul across the Bosphorus Strait since 1973. This suspension bridge spans 1,074 meters between its two main towers and reaches a total length of 1,560 meters. The structure carries several hundred thousand vehicles daily and forms a central transportation link in the transcontinental connection between Europe and Asia.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge spans the Capilano River at a height of 70 meters across a length of 137 meters. This wooden structure was originally built in 1889 and has been renovated several times. The crossing provides visitors access to walking trails through the coastal temperate rainforest. The bridge system also includes elevated treetop walkways and cliffside paths along the canyon.

The Lions Gate Bridge opened in 1938 and connects the city of Vancouver to North Vancouver and West Vancouver across the Burrard Inlet. This suspension bridge spans 1,823 meters in length and rises 111 meters above sea level. The bridge features three traffic lanes and carries Highway 99, a major transportation route in the region. The two distinctive concrete towers define the city skyline and serve as a landmark of Vancouver.

The Pont de Normandie connects both banks of the Seine estuary between Le Havre and Honfleur. This cable-stayed bridge was inaugurated in 1995 and held the record for the longest main span of its type at 856 meters. The total length of the structure reaches 2141 meters, with a clearance height of 52 meters for maritime traffic. Its two pylons rise to 214.77 meters in height.

The Millau Viaduct spans the valley of the Tarn River in the Aveyron department. This cable-stayed bridge reaches a maximum pier height of 336.4 metres and a total length of 2460 metres. The structure was built between 2001 and 2004 following designs by engineer Michel Virlogeux and architect Norman Foster. The A75 motorway crosses seven piers, with the roadway positioned 270 metres above the valley floor. The viaduct provides a technical solution to route traffic between Paris and the Mediterranean without detours through the town of Millau.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge spans the Tagus River, connecting Lisbon to the southern suburbs. Stretching 17.2 kilometers, this cable-stayed bridge ranks among the longest in Europe. The structure opened in 1998 and carries road traffic across six lanes. The bridge was named to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese explorer's discovery of the sea route to India.

The Royal Gorge Bridge spans the Arkansas River at a height of 291 meters and has connected both sides of the gorge since 1929. This suspension bridge in southern Colorado was constructed as a tourist attraction and held the title of the world's highest bridge upon completion. The structure extends 384 meters in length and provides access to the Royal Gorge Bridge Park. The bridge features wooden planks on a steel framework and offers views of the river canyon and surrounding rock formations.

The Ponte 25 de Abril spans 2278 meters, connecting Lisbon to the city of Almada on the southern bank of the Tagus River. This steel structure opened in 1966 and carries both a six-lane highway and a railway line, added to the lower deck in 1999. The main tower rises 190 meters above the river.

The Humber Bridge connects Yorkshire and Lincolnshire across the Humber estuary since its opening in 1981. The bridge extends over a total length of 2220 meters with a main span of 1410 meters between its two towers. When completed, the Humber Bridge held the record as the world's longest single-span suspension bridge until 1998. The two steel towers rise 155 meters above the water and support the deck through vertical suspension cables. The bridge provides a vital transport link between the two banks of the Humber estuary and has significantly contributed to the economic development of the region.

The Sunshine Skyway is a cable-stayed bridge spanning Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg to the north with Terra Ceia to the south. Completed in 1987, this structure extends 6.7 kilometers and forms a major section of Interstate 275. The yellow pylons rise 131 meters above the water, supporting the four-lane roadway with steel cables. This bridge replaced an older structure that partially collapsed in 1980 following a ship collision.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and completed in 1864. This bridge spans the Avon Gorge at a height of 75 meters above the river, connecting the areas of Clifton and Leigh Woods. The total span measures 414 meters, with the main span reaching 214 meters. The two limestone towers support the iron chains from which the bridge deck is suspended.

The Hardanger Bridge opened in August 2013 and spans the Hardangerfjord at a height of 55 meters above sea level. With a total length of 1380 meters and a main span of 1310 meters, this suspension bridge connects the municipalities of Ullensvang on the south shore and Ulvik on the north shore. The bridge replaced the previous ferry connection and significantly reduced travel time along European Route 13. The two pylons reach a height of 200 meters and the construction required 2700 tons of steel for the suspension cables.

The Zubizuri has connected the banks of the Nervión River in central Bilbao since 1997. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed this pedestrian bridge with a curved white steel arch and a continuous glass walkway. The structure extends approximately 75 meters in length and integrates into the modern cityscape. The bridge serves thousands of pedestrians daily as a connection between different neighborhoods and stands near the Guggenheim Museum.

The Alex Fraser Bridge connects the municipalities of Delta and New Westminster across the Fraser River since 1986. This six-lane cable-stayed bridge spans a total length of 2,525 meters and reaches a clearance height of 154 meters above the water. The main span measures 465 meters between two tall pylons. The bridge forms an integral part of Highway 91 and carries daily traffic of over 100,000 vehicles. The construction uses a steel and concrete combination and ranks among the longest cable-stayed bridges in North America.

The Great Seto Bridge connects the islands of Honshu and Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. This bridge construction consists of six consecutive bridges arranged on two levels: the upper level for road traffic and the lower level for railway lines. The structure spans 13.1 kilometers and was completed in 1988. The construction crosses five small islands and uses different bridge types, including suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, and truss bridges, to meet varying geographical requirements.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects the eastern and western shores of Maryland across the Chesapeake Bay. The bridge structure spans 6.9 kilometers and crosses one of the largest estuaries on the East Coast of the United States. The construction consists of two parallel roadway sections and enables traffic between the Delmarva Peninsula and the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The initial construction was completed in 1952 and later expanded with a second span.