Kuronoseto Bridge, Truss bridge in Akune, Japan
Kuronoseto Bridge is a steel truss structure that stretches over 500 meters across the strait of the same name, connecting Akune with Nagashima. The bridge features distinctive steel framework that crosses the water and appears as a carefully engineered network when viewed from above.
The structure was built between 1971 and 1974, ending centuries of dangerous boat crossings through one of Japan's fastest-moving straits. From its opening until 1990, it operated as a toll bridge before becoming free for all users.
The bridge stands at one of Japan's three famous straits, where ancient poems from the Manyoshu anthology recorded the power of these waters. Visitors can still see the memorial stones at the site that connect these literary references to the landscape.
The crossing is now part of National Route 389 and can be traversed on foot or by vehicle. The best time to cross is during calmer currents, and from the bridge you can observe the water movements below.
The bridge employs special engineering to handle extreme tidal currents that reach speeds of around 16 kilometers per hour beneath the structure. This technical solution shows how engineers solved the natural challenges posed by this particular strait.
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