Zao-bashi, Vehicular bridge in Nagaoka, Japan.
Zao-bashi is a modern steel and concrete structure that spans approximately 800 meters across the Shinano River. It connects the eastern and western sections of Nagaoka and carries two major national routes that serve local and regional traffic.
The bridge received its current name in 1691 under Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, after previously being called by other names. The current structure was completed in 1994 using modern engineering methods.
The name references the Zao mountain range and symbolizes the connection between the river's banks that it creates. Residents and visitors use it daily as a natural part of moving through the city.
The bridge is accessible to both pedestrians and vehicles, accommodating different types of traffic. Crossing during daylight hours is advisable when visibility is best and traffic patterns are more predictable.
The bridge sits strategically between two other known structures, with the older Nagaoka Bridge downstream and the Shinanogawa Bridge upstream. Together these three form an important network for crossing the river and serving the region's transportation needs.
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