Otagawa Bashi, Steel arch bridge on Route 3 of Hiroshima Expressway, Japan
Otagawa Bashi is a modern steel arch bridge crossing the Ota River with a length of about 400 meters and a varying roadway width. The structure connects the Hiroshima-Nishi area to the central urban zone as part of the Expressway Route 3.
The original bridge from 1932 was heavily damaged by the atomic bomb in 1945, with its twisted beams now displayed at the Peace Memorial Museum. The current structure was designed following a competition and rebuilt around 2008.
The bridge serves as a quiet passage that connects daily traffic with the reflective mood of nearby memorial spaces, its design showing a balance between modern engineering and respect for the area's significance.
The bridge has a clearance height of about 12 meters at the center, which may restrict certain vehicles. It is easily accessible from both sides and offers views of the river and surrounding urban landscape.
The bridge was designed by a local engineering team that won a national award for civil engineering with this project. Its design brings together traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary steel construction.
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