Yoshima Viaduct, Road and rail viaduct in Sakaide, Japan.
The Yoshima Viaduct is a two-level bridge crossing the Seto Inland Sea with vehicular traffic on the upper deck and railway lines on the lower deck. The structure consists of multiple spans of varying heights stretching across a considerable distance and traversing the sea.
The viaduct opened in 1988 and created a lasting link between Honshu and Shikoku, two of Japan's main islands. Its construction was a major infrastructure project that permanently changed the region.
The viaduct takes its name from a nearby village and has become a familiar sight for commuters and travelers crossing the region daily. It stands as a symbol of modern links that connect these formerly isolated islands together.
Visitors can cross the bridge on foot or drive a vehicle over the upper deck, while the lower deck is reserved for trains. The structure is open to traffic throughout the year and offers access from both sides of the sea.
The supporting piers beneath the bridge vary in height as they adapt to different water depths, with the tallest portions extending deep from the seabed surface. This carefully calibrated design is often not visible at first glance but shows the attention given to the structure's engineering.
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