Katashinagawabashi bridge, Engineering bridge in Numata, Japan
Katashinagawabashi is a long highway bridge that spans the Katashina River and links the towns of Showa and Numata in Gunma's mountainous region. The structure crosses a deep valley with steep terrain and carries traffic through this rural area.
The bridge was built to better connect the then-isolated communities in this mountain valley and improve traffic flow between them. Its construction was part of infrastructure development that integrated rural areas of Gunma into the national road network.
The bridge design incorporates elements of Japanese engineering principles, reflecting the nation's commitment to balancing functionality with structural excellence.
The bridge is accessible via the Kan-etsu Expressway and sees regular vehicle traffic passing through the mountainous region. Visitors can view it by using the expressway or finding a nearby viewpoint to see how the structure sits within the landscape.
The bridge's engineering received recognition from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and was awarded the prestigious Tanaka Prize. Such projects in mountainous terrain require specialized solutions to handle the challenging geography and weather conditions.
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