辺野喜橋, Concrete bridge in Kunigami, Japan
Benoki Bridge is a concrete structure in the Kunigami region of Okinawa that crossed the Benoki River. The structure featured a reinforced concrete deck supported by steel girders and measured approximately 35 meters in span.
The structure was built in 1981 by Okinawa Prefecture and initially served as a local road. It was closed in 2004 after corrosion from coastal salt exposure weakened the concrete and steel components.
The bridge connected local communities in northern Okinawa, enabling residents to maintain social connections and participate in regional festivities.
The structure is no longer open to traffic and has been replaced by alternative crossings in the area. Visitors exploring the region should be aware of the surrounding road networks.
The structure collapsed during heavy rainfall in July 2009 while researchers from the University of Ryukyu were conducting structural monitoring studies. This collapse revealed deeper issues with maintenance protocols for coastal infrastructure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
