Öland Bridge, Road bridge in Kalmar, Sweden
The Öland Bridge is a road crossing in the Kalmar Strait, Sweden, that spans 6,072 meters from the mainland to the island of Öland using 155 reinforced concrete supports. Its deck measures 13 meters wide and rises 41.69 meters above sea level at its highest point to allow large ships to pass underneath.
The idea of a fixed crossing was first proposed in 1932, but construction did not begin until decades later. Crown Prince Carl Gustaf opened the structure on September 30, 1972, ending reliance on ferries between island and mainland.
This crossing ended decades of debate among islanders who wanted a permanent link to replace the ferries. Visitors today experience the approach as a long, open passage over water that turns arrival on the island into a deliberate transition.
Drivers cross free of charge and can see water on both sides during the entire journey on clear days. Pedestrians and cyclists reach the island via a separate structure that starts at Svinö and runs alongside the main route.
The western section rises into a noticeable hump that provides 36 meters of clearance for larger vessels passing beneath. This elevation is visible from a distance and gives the crossing a recognizable rhythm as you approach the highest point.
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