Consider the Kamiji-Oohashi Bridge. It stands as a testament to modern engineering. Today, we will discover more about it. This bridge might not be as famous as some others, but it has its own story.
The Kamiji-Oohashi Bridge is a single suspension bridge. It is located in Ome, Tokyo, Japan. The bridge crosses the Tama River. Its coordinates are 35.801868 N and 139.175992 E. The bridge is still in use. It carries wire steel main cables. The bridge has a single suspended span.
Let’s shift our focus to another bridge for a moment. I want to introduce you to the Eshima Ohashi Bridge. This bridge offers an interesting comparison. The Eshima Ohashi Bridge is a rigid frame bridge. It connects Matsue and Sakaiminato. It crosses Nakaumi lake. People sometimes call it the Roller Coaster Bridge. This bridge was built between 1997 and 2004. It is the largest rigid frame bridge in Japan. It is the third largest in the world. The Eshima Ohashi Bridge has a steep appearance. This is especially true when photographed from a distance. In reality, it has a gradient of 6.1% on the Shimane side. It has a 5.1% gradient on the Tottori side.
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge replaced a drawbridge. The old bridge often caused traffic delays. Ships would interrupt traffic for 7 to 8 minutes. Only vehicles under 14 tons could cross. Only 4000 vehicles could cross per day. The new bridge solved these problems.
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge reaches a height of about 147 feet. Its longest span is 250 meters. The bridge’s construction cost was about 23 billion yen. One reason it is so steep is to allow ships to pass underneath.
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge has become a tourist spot. People like to feel the speed while driving over it. However, the speed limit is only 40 km per hour.
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge has had various positive effects. It has improved logistics efficiency. It has reduced transportation costs. It has shortened transportation time.
While the Kamiji-Oohashi Bridge is a simple suspension bridge and the Eshima Ohashi Bridge is a large rigid frame bridge, both bridges play important roles in their respective locations. They facilitate transportation and connect communities. Each bridge has unique characteristics. Each has contributed to its region.