Youtefa Bridge, Arch bridge in Jayapura, Indonesia
The Youtefa Bridge is a red steel arch structure that connects Jayapura's city center to the Muara Tami district across the bay. This construction spans over 700 meters of water and provides a direct passage where only long detours were previously available.
Construction started in 2015 and represented a major infrastructure development for the Papua region. The steel framework was assembled in Java and then transported to Papua as a complete unit, an uncommon logistical achievement at that scale.
The bridge's name reflects the Youtefa people whose territories lie along the waters it spans, honoring their presence in this region. Local communities requested this naming to ensure their heritage remained visible in the landscape.
The passage is open to all types of vehicles and offers a quick route across the bay. Travelers should know that daytime crossing is safer and conditions can become challenging during rough weather or heavy rains.
The structure earned two Indonesian Museum of Records certificates, including recognition for the longest intact steel frame bridge transport ever completed. This achievement highlights the remarkable engineering feat involved in moving such a massive structure across land and sea.
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