El Ferdan Railway Bridge, Steel railway bridge in Ismailia, Egypt
El Ferdan Railway Bridge is a steel structure spanning the western shipping lane of the Suez Canal with a height of approximately 60 meters. It features a rotating mechanism that allows large vessels to pass through while maintaining the rail connection.
The first structure was built in 1918 for the Sinai Military Railway, though later versions suffered damage during regional conflicts. The current bridge opened in 2001, representing the fourth generation of this strategic crossing.
The bridge connects mainland Egypt with the Sinai Peninsula and enables the movement of people and goods between Africa and Asia. For many travelers, it stands as a visible symbol of connection between two continents.
Visitors can observe the bridge from several viewing points when ships pass and the rotating mechanism operates. Daytime visits offer the best lighting and are more likely to coincide with regular vessel traffic.
The rotating mechanism takes roughly 15 minutes to fully open, making it one of the slower opening systems for major waterways. This deliberate pace allows traffic flow on both sides to be coordinated smoothly.
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