Crossing Many Bridges

Europe

Norway

The Twist in Jevnaker, Norway was completed in 2019. It is three structures in one, part museum, part bridge, and part sculpture. The bridge connects two forested riverbanks. It spans 60 meters across the Randselva River and is located in the middle of Kistefos Sculpture Park. The bridge consists of only straight lines however, the long aluminum and wood panels are twisted like a deck of cards forming a fan shape. The illusion is that there are curves everywhere but actually everything is straight.

England

Tintagel Bridge in Tintagel, England was completed in 2019. Tintagel Castle located on the rugged North Cornwall coast is one of the most spectacular historic sites in England.

The old path to reach the castle proved a challenge for visitors. So a new footbridge was built recreating the historic crossing from the mainland to the headland.

France

The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the valley of the River Tam in Creissels in southern France. It’s the tallest vehicular bridge in the world and opened in 2004. It was designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster. This multi-span cable-stayed bridge has been ranked as one of the great engineering achievements of all time.

Netherlands

Nescio Bridge in Amsterdam, Netherlands was completed in 2006. It is a curved, steel suspension bridge. It is the country’s first suspension bridge that has only a cycle track and footway. The bridge is also the longest single cable suspension bridge in the Netherlands. It spans the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal connecting the new residential area of IJuburg, built on artificial islands in Lake IJ to the mainland.

Hungary

Szechenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary was designed by British-born engineer William Tierney Clark. It opened in 1849 and spans the Danube River. It was the first permanent stone bridge to connect Buda and Pest. The bridge is lit at night making the chains of this suspension bridge look like pearls on the river. It was destroyed during WW II and was rebuilt on the 100th anniversary of its original construction. The bridge connects two of the most vibrant and central squares of the city – Szechenyi Ter on the Pest side and Clark Adam Square on the Buda side.

Italy

Constitution Bridge has become an iconic landmark in Venice, Italy. The bridge was completed in 2008 and designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It is the fourth bridge to span the Grand Canal and stretches from Piazzale Roma to Santa Lucia Train Station. The skeleton of the bridge is made of steel and the steps and parapet of tempered glass and Istria marble.

Spain

The Zubizuri Footbridge was built in 1997. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The bridge appears to be a sailboat on the Bilbao estuary in Bilbao, Spain. This arching white structure connects the two banks of the estuary. The bridge has become one of the symbols of the city.

Asia

Iran

The Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran was built in 1650. The structure has 23 stone arches and spans the Zayanderud River. The upper part of the bridge consists of a large central aisle that was originally designed for horse-drawn carts flanked on either side by pedestrian walkways. Halfway through the bridge is a split pavilion with half looking upstream and half looking downstream. It has become a popular public meeting spot.

China

Ruyi Bridge in Zhejiang, China is technically three bridges. It is a ribbon-shaped pedestrian bridge stretching over the Shenxianju Valley. The most notable feature is that the bridge has a glass-bottomed floor. This wavy bridge has three separate footpaths with portions that have glass bottoms. It is described as three undulating bridges that are meant to blend in with the natural scenery all around.

Singapore

Henderson Waves Bridge in Singapore at 36 meters high is the highest pedestrian bridge in the country. It was unveiled in 2008 and as its name indicates the bridge mimics the undulating shape of a wave. In its entirety the bridge curves and twists. It is anchored by steel arches and filled with curbed rib slats of Balau wood, a dense hardwood used for heavy construction and only found in Southeast Asia. This bridge connects Mount Faber Park with Telok Blangah Hill Park. Pedestrians enjoy it because its shape has hidden recesses and shell-like niches where pedestrians can sit and enjoy their surroundings. At dusk, the bridge is lighted by a light-emitting LED diode.

Malaysia

Seri Wawasan Bridge was completed in 2003 and has a futuristic design with cable backstays and standard steel tie-backs. This bridge is noticeable from different vantage points in the city. At night it is illuminated with changing colored lights. The bridge is 240m long and the main span is 168m long. It stretches across the Putrajaya Lake in Putrajaya, Malaysia. This is a six-lane suspension bridge that also has pedestrian and bike lanes.

United Arab Emirates

Sheik Zayed Bridge in Abu Dahbi, United Arab Emirates was designed by British female architect and Pritzker Prize winner Dame Zaha Hadid. It was completed in 2010 and is said to be the most complex bridge ever built. It has curved arches that resemble sand dunes and features a dynamic lighting design. The road decks are suspended from symmetrical steel arches that create a waveform with a fluid silhouette.

Vietnam

Golden Bridge is also referred to as the Giant Hand Bridge and is located in Da Nang, Vietnam appears to be supported by two oversized hands. It is a pedestrian bridge on top of Nui Chua Mountain that is part of the Ba Na Hills Resort. It was created to connect a nearby cable car station to the gardens. It opened in 2018 and went viral on social media sites Facebook and Instagram. The bridge has been ranked among the Top 10 bridges with the most unique architecture in the world.

North America

The USA

Michigan

Skybridge Michigan in Boyne Falls, Michigan has the title of the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge. It stretches across the Boyne Valley 118 feet above ground and has become popular with visitors viewing the autumn foliage. The pedestrian bridge was built between the McLouth to Disciples Ridge peaks. Visitors can also ride the historic Hemlock Scenic Chairlift to the top of the mountain.

New York

Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 and was the first bridge built across the East River in New York City. At one time the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world until the Akashi-Kaiyo Bridge was built in Japan. The bridge is used by about 150,00o vehicles and pedestrians every day to cross from Manhattan to Brooklyn and the other way. It has become one of the top attractions in New York City and is beautiful particularly all lit up at night.

Texas

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, Texas was designed by world-famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. This is an impressive cable-stayed bridge that spans the Trinity River and was named for the oil heiress and philanthropist Margaret Hunt Hill. The six-lane bridge connects Downtown Dallas to West Dallas/Oak Cliff. It is made of Italian steel and this cable-stayed bridge has become one of downtown’s prominent structures.

South America

Argentina

El Puente de la Mujer Bridge in Buenos Aires, Argentina was completed in 2001. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Translated to Women’s Bridge and it is one of the most famous landmarks in the Puerto Madero neighborhood. This is a rotating footbridge that represents a couple dancing the tango. The white mast symbolizes the man and the curve of the bridge, the woman. The bridge has a large turning mechanism that lets it swing open to allow sailing ships to pass by.

Brazil

The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge also known as the President JK Bridge is located in Brasilia the capital of Brazil and was designed by Brazilian architect Alexandre Chan. It was completed in 2002. This steel and concrete bridge stretches across Lake Paranoa. It has become one of the most known symbols of the country. The asymmetric arch bridge has a suspended deck and is used for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles.