Akebono Köprüsü, Suspension bridge in Kobe, Japan
Akebono Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Akashi Strait to connect Kobe with Awaji Island, carrying six traffic lanes and emergency lanes across the water. Two main towers rise approximately 300 meters high and support the long cable system that holds the roadway in place.
Construction began in 1988 and finished in 1998, with the 1995 Kobe earthquake occurring during the building process and prompting design adjustments. Engineers incorporated new safety requirements into the structure to better withstand seismic activity in the region.
The bridge represents Japanese engineering excellence, standing as a monument to the nation's commitment to connecting communities across challenging maritime passages.
Access the observation deck through Maiko Station on the JR Sanyo Line, where guided tours lead you up to view the structure and the strait below. Afternoon visits work well if you want to see the bridge as evening light arrives and the illumination begins to activate.
The structure can withstand wind speeds up to 290 kilometers per hour, demonstrating the extreme forces that typhoons bring to this region. Around 1.800 lights illuminate the bridge during special occasions, creating a dramatic display across the strait.
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