Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge, Suspension bridge in Imabari, Shikoku, Japan
The Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge spans 4,105 meters (13,476 feet) across the Kurushima Strait, comprising three connected suspension sections supported by six steel towers reaching 178 meters (584 feet) in height and linked by shared anchorages.
Construction began on May 15, 1988, and the bridge officially opened to traffic on May 1, 1999, becoming the world's longest suspension bridge structure at the time and completing a vital connection within the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project.
The bridge forms part of the Shimanami Kaidō, a popular route for cyclists that crosses multiple islands in the Seto Inland Sea, earning recognition as a destination for cyclists who enjoy scenic ocean views along dedicated bicycle lanes.
The bridge features four roadway lanes along with bicycle and pedestrian paths, stretching 27 meters (89 feet) in width and connecting Imabari in Ehime Prefecture with Ōshima Island via the Nishi-Seto Expressway.
The structure received the Tanaka Prize from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for its innovative use of three successive suspension spans joined by common anchorages, a design that provides flexibility and stability in challenging seismic conditions.
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