Rainbow Bridge, Suspension bridge in Tokyo Bay, Japan
Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses Tokyo Bay and links the mainland near Minato to the artificial island of Odaiba. The structure rests on two white steel towers standing 127 meters tall and carries both vehicle traffic and rail lines plus pedestrian paths on two levels.
The bridge opened in 1993 and was one of the largest construction projects in the Tokyo Bay area at the time. Engineers integrated protection systems against earthquakes that were later tested and validated after the Kobe earthquake.
The name comes from the nighttime lights that make the structure glow in different colors, suggesting a rainbow. The pedestrian paths on the lower level allow visitors to cross the bay on foot while traffic passes overhead.
The pedestrian areas on the lower level open during daytime and offer views of the bay and the city. Crossing on foot takes around half an hour and may close during strong winds.
The lighting system runs on solar power and makes the bridge glow in three colors every evening. The color combination was chosen to be visible from the water while avoiding excessive brightening of the night sky.
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