Arik Bridge, Highway bridge over Jordan River in northern Israel
Arik Bridge is a concrete road bridge in northern Israel that crosses the Jordan River on Highway 87, linking the Lower Galilee to the Ramot area and the central Golan Heights. The road runs straight across the river at a point where the water moves through a flat, open valley.
A metal bridge was built at this Jordan crossing in 1972 to handle growing traffic after Israel's takeover of the Golan Heights. A new concrete structure was added in 1998, while the original metal bridge was left standing nearby.
The name Arik is a nickname for Ariel Sharon, the Israeli general and later prime minister who had strong ties to the northern regions of the country. Crossing here gives a sense of how tightly connected the communities of the Galilee and the Golan Heights are in daily life.
The bridge carries active road traffic, so pedestrians should take care near the crossing. The best spot to take in both structures is from the riverbank just below, where you can get a clear view of the water and the two bridges side by side.
The original 1972 metal bridge still stands about 100 feet (30 meters) north of the concrete one and is visible from the riverbank. It is rare to find two consecutive bridge generations standing this close to each other at a single crossing.
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