Famous bridges around the world

The world’s most famous bridges may not be the longest, tallest or highest bridges, but they are the most recognisable bridges in the world for a reason. Most of these bridges are regarded as landmarks and are a vital part of the infrastructures of regions around the world. Some have even become city icons because of their influence and engineering wonder

Akashi-Kaikyo

This bridge also known as the Pearl bridge is the longest suspension bridge at 1,991 meters (6,532 feet) in the world. It spans the Akashi Strait in Japan connecting Kobe on the mainland and Iwaya on Awayi Island. The bridge took almost 12 years to build and was opened for traffic in 1998. The bridge has three spans. The central span was originally only 1,990 meters but the Kobe earthquake in 1995, moved the two towers so that it had to be increased by 1 meter.
Location: Japan

Brooklyn

It was constructed in 1883 this bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. At the time it opened, and for several years, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world and it has become a famous and iconic landmark of New York. The bridge has a wide pedestrian walkway open to walkers and cyclists.
Location: USA

Chapel

The Chapel bridge is a 204-meter long bridge crossing the Reuss River in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland. It is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, and one of Switzerland’s main tourist attractions. It was constructed in 1333, and was designed to help protect the city of Lucerne from attacks. There is cave inside the bridge where there are a series of paintings from the 17th century, depicting events from Luzerne’s history.
Location: Switzerland

Dhola-Sadiya

Dhola-Sadiya bridge on Lohit River is the longest road bridge in India, located on the Brahmaputra River in Assam connects the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The 9.15 kilometers long road bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017. The bridge is the first permanent road connection between the northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Thus, the bridge is a great strategic boost to India’s defense capabilities in the North East.
Location: India

Golden Gate

The Golden Gate bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. The bridge took seven years to build and was completed in 1937. It is the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco and California. The famous red-orange color of the bridge was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge.
Location: USA

Great Belt

The Great Belt bridge is actually tied to two bridges between two cities Eastern and Western section, split by the small island of Sprogo. It has the third longest main span in the world. At 254 meters above sea level, the East Bridge’s two pylons are the highest points in Denmark. The West Bridge is a 6,611-meter-long combined rail and road bridge between Sprogo and Funen.
Location: Denmark

Millau

The Millau Viaduct is an enormous cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. It is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, with the highest pylon’s summit at 343 meters slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. The speed limit on the bridge was reduced from 130 km to 110 km because of traffic slowing down, due to tourists taking pictures of the bridge from the vehicles.
Location: France

Si-o-se-pol

Si-o-se-pol is a famous bridge in the Iranian city of Isfahan. It is highly ranked as being one of the most famous examples of Safavid bridge design. It was commissioned in 1602 by Shah Abbas I, the bridge is built of bricks and stones. It is 295 meters long and 13.75 meters wide. It is said that the bridge originally comprised 40 arches however this number gradually reduced to 33.
Location: Iran

Rialto

The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that some architects predicted a future collapse. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.
Location: Italy

Tower

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name and has become an iconic symbol of London. The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways which are designed to withstand the forces of the suspended sections of the bridge.
Location: UK