Penang Bridge, Cable-stayed bridge in Penang, Malaysia
Penang Bridge is a road crossing with six traffic lanes that spans the strait between the mainland and the island. The structure combines cable-stayed sections with continuous girders and reaches a total length of 13.5 kilometers (8.4 miles).
Construction began in 1982 and was completed three years later, with the official opening in September 1985. The crossing was the longest in Southeast Asia at the time and replaced the only ferry service that had operated until then.
Each year a major city marathon takes place on the roadway, allowing runners to cross the entire length over the water. The event transforms the usually car-dominated lanes into a meeting place for thousands of people for a few hours.
The crossing charges a toll for vehicles heading toward the island, while the opposite direction remains free. The speed limit is set at 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour) and the roadway stays open around the clock.
A Malaysian engineer led the design of this structure, which was considered a major technical achievement when it opened. It remained the only fixed link between the island and mainland until a second crossing was completed in 2014.
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