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It's fascinating to think that the Brooklyn Bridge shares little resemblance with primitive bridges, which were essentially logs placed over streams. Explore more captivating bridge images.
Allan Baxer/Getty ImagesBridges have existed since humans first needed to transport themselves and their belongings. Early bridge builders simply used fallen trees to cross gaps, but they soon realized that with more effort, they could create structures capable of spanning longer distances and supporting heavier loads.
Roman engineers mastered the stone arch, using it to construct aqueducts -- bridges designed to transport fresh water over vast distances -- and other structures to facilitate travel across rivers and streams. The Industrial Revolution, however, propelled bridge construction to unprecedented levels of innovation and scale.
By the late 19th century, groundbreaking bridges were being built at an astonishing pace. The Brooklyn Bridge, finished in 1883, held the title of the world's longest spanning bridge until the Firth of Forth Bridge in Scotland surpassed it just seven years later.
The dawn of a new century ushered in longer and more astonishing bridges. In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge spanned an impressive 8,981 feet (2,737 meters) across the perilous waters of San Francisco Bay.
Modern engineers continue to push the boundaries of science and creativity. They explore cutting-edge materials, unique designs, and advanced construction techniques. Their creations not only transport vehicles and trains but also inspire awe and admiration. Below is a curated list of some of the most stunning bridges from the modern era. While we’ve restricted ourselves to 10 bridges, they span diverse regions across the globe.
Our journey begins with the Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China.
10. The Hangzhou Bay Bridge
The Chinese have a rich history in bridge construction. The Anlan Bridge, a suspension bridge originally built in A.D. 300 with bamboo cables, still serves pedestrians crossing the 1,000-foot (305-meter) Min River [source: NOVA]. Over 1,700 years later, in Jiangsu Province, Chinese engineers completed the Runyang Bridge, featuring a 4,888-foot (1,490-meter) suspension bridge and a 2,575-foot (758-meter) cable-stayed bridge. It held the title of China’s longest bridge — for a time.
Today, the Hangzhou Bridge, which opened in May 2008 after nearly a decade of planning and construction, proudly holds the title of China's longest bridge. Spanning an astonishing 22 miles (36 kilometers) across the Qiantang River at the Yangtze River Delta near the East China Sea, it dwarfs the Runyang Bridge by nearly 25 times and surpasses Japan's Akashi Kaikyo Bridge by nine times in length. This cable-stayed marvel traverses the open ocean, accommodating six lanes of traffic in each direction. While commuters pay a toll of 80 yuan (approximately $12), it pales in comparison to the bridge's staggering construction cost of 11.8 billion yuan ($1.72 billion). Designed to last a century, it has ample time to justify its expense.
Next, we journey westward across Asia to the eastern fringes of Europe, where the Strait of Bosporus awaits, along with the next remarkable bridge on our list.
Modern bridges, like the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, owe their existence to the groundbreaking designs of the past. The 19th century marked a significant leap in bridge engineering, as European and American engineers applied scientific principles to create iconic structures. The Brooklyn Bridge, a New York City landmark since 1883, and London's Tower Bridge, operational since 1894, are prime examples. Interestingly, the Tower Bridge faced criticism for its appearance, with some labeling it as "monstrous" and "preposterous" [source: PBS].
9. The Bosporus Bridge
The Bosphorus Bridge was inaugurated on November 5, 1973, during a ceremony led by President Koroturk, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.
Keystone/Getty ImagesThe Strait of Bosporus, also referred to as the Istanbul Strait, links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and serves as the natural boundary between Asia and Europe. Its strategic importance has been recognized throughout history, both in times of conflict and peace. While efforts to bridge this narrow waterway trace back to the Persian Empire, the most remarkable structure, the Bosporus Bridge, was completed in 1973. This 4,954-foot (1.51-kilometer) suspension bridge was the sole connection between two continents until the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge opened 15 years later.
Despite sharing the spotlight with a companion bridge, the Bosporus Bridge remains a breathtaking spectacle, particularly at night. An advanced LED lighting system illuminates its towers and zigzagging cables in vibrant, shifting colors.
Whether by day or night, the Bosporus Bridge facilitates intercontinental travel with its eight-lane deck. Each direction features three vehicle lanes, one emergency lane, and a sidewalk. Pedestrians were permitted to walk across the bridge until 1977, when safety concerns led to a ban. However, an exception was made in May 2005 when Venus Williams and Ïpek Senoglu played a tennis match on the bridge to promote the first Istanbul Cup in Turkey. Spectators lined two lanes to witness the players volleying from Asia to Europe and back.
The next bridge on our list may not have hosted a tennis match, but it has become one of England's most popular tourist destinations.
8. Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge at dusk, seen from Gateshead overlooking the River Tyne towards Newcastle upon Tyne
Brian Lawrence/Getty ImagesA bascule bridge features one or two sections of the deck, called leaves, that pivot upward to allow boats to pass beneath. While these bridges are quick and functional, they often lack aesthetic appeal. This was the challenge for engineers when Gateshead, England, launched a competition in 1996 to design a unique bridge for cyclists and pedestrians over the Tyne River. The structure needed to permit ship passage without obstructing views of neighboring bridges or disrupting cultural events along the riverbanks.
The winning design addressed this challenge with an innovative tilting mechanism instead of a traditional bascule system. The bridge consists of two steel arches. In its lowered position, one arch serves as the pathway for pedestrians and cyclists, while the other arch stands perpendicular, connected by cables for support. When the bridge tilts, eight electric motors move both arches as a single unit, with one arch descending as the other rises to maintain balance.
Upon its opening in 2000, the 413-foot (126-meter) bridge drew a crowd of 36,000 people to witness its first tilt [source: Gateshead Millennium Web site]. Its fame grew further in 2007 when it was featured on a new pound coin issued by the Royal Mint.
Our next bridge, the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, also captured global attention when it debuted in 2004.
7. Millau Viaduct
Stage 18 of the 92nd Tour de France passes beneath the Millau Viaduct, the tallest vehicular bridge in the world.
Bryn Lennon/Getty ImagesThe Eiffel Tower, towering over Paris at 1,063 feet (324 meters), serves as a striking comparison. Imagine relocating it to the Tarn Valley in southern France, nestled within the Cévennes Mountains. Now envision adding six more towers of similar height and connecting them with a roadway. Et voila -- the Millau Viaduct, a colossal bridge completed in 2004, facilitating the A75 motorway's journey south to Beziers.
In reality, this cable-stayed bridge surpasses the Eiffel Tower by 62 feet (19 meters) and nearly matches the height of the Empire State Building (1,250 feet or 381 meters). Vehicles crossing the bridge soar 890 feet (271 meters) above the valley. For drivers unafraid of heights, the bridge cuts 62 miles (100 kilometers) and four hours off the journey from Clermont-Ferrand to Mediterranean destinations. Additionally, it alleviates pollution by easing traffic congestion previously caused by an older, smaller bridge in Millau.
Next on our journey is another remarkable cable-stayed bridge: the Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge in Brazil.
6. Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge
São Paulo, Brazil, located south of Rio de Janeiro, is renowned for its opulence. As a cosmopolitan city, it boasts a vibrant nightlife, a thriving arts culture, and serves as the financial heart of Brazil, housing some of the nation's wealthiest individuals. Given this backdrop, it’s no surprise that the paulistanos (residents of São Paulo) constructed one of the world’s most distinctive bridges.
The Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge, named after a prominent Brazilian media magnate, stretches over the Pinheiros River, dividing the city’s western region. While the bridge is relatively modest in length at 2,953 feet (900 meters) and height at 453 feet (138 meters), its standout feature is its two curved decks intersecting through an X-shaped support tower. Supported by 144 cables, the dual roadways connect the São Paulo neighborhoods of Brooklin and Real Parque.
At night, drivers crossing the bridge are treated to a dazzling display of LED lights. The illumination system allows the X-shaped tower to be lit in various colors to mark special occasions or events. Beyond aesthetics, the bridge is equipped with 140-watt bulbs to ensure safe driving conditions.
Our next bridge also emphasizes innovative safety features. To reach it, we’ll journey from South America, through Central America, and into the United States.
While pedestrian bridges may not match the length of those designed for vehicles or trains, they can still be awe-inspiring. The Campo Volantin Footbridge in Bilbao, Spain, features a sleek arch supporting a glass walkway above the Bilbao River. In Malaysia, the Langkawi Sky-Bridge, less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide, offers visitors a panoramic 360-degree view from Mount Mat Cincang. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, British Columbia, the 450-foot (147-meter) Capilano Suspension Bridge allows walkers to traverse the treetops of a dense rainforest.
5. St. Anthony Falls Bridge
On August 1, 2007, a steel deck truss bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi River during rush hour. Investigators found that 16 gusset plates, which connected steel beams to load-bearing columns, were inadequately thick, leading to their failure and the bridge's collapse. Authorities quickly pledged to rebuild, incorporating advanced safety measures. The St. Anthony Falls Bridge, completed in September 2008, was the result.
This box girder bridge exemplifies modern engineering excellence. Constructed with high-performance concrete, it offers exceptional strength and resists corrosion. Over 15 million pounds (6.8 million kilograms) of epoxy-coated rebar reinforce the structure, preventing brittleness [source: McCarthy]. Additionally, 323 embedded sensors continuously monitor the bridge's condition, identifying potential stress points. The concrete also purifies the air, thanks to TX Active, a cement additive that breaks down pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and benzene when exposed to light.
Advanced materials like TX Active are increasingly used in modern bridges. One such example lies east of Minneapolis in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
While bridge collapses, such as the 2007 incident in Minnesota, are uncommon, they have occurred throughout history. On May 24, 1847, a railway bridge over the River Dee in Wales collapsed, resulting in five fatalities. Similarly, the Tay Bridge in Scotland fell during a storm on December 28, 1879, claiming 70 lives. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge also collapsed on July 1, 1940, just four months after its opening, due to strong winds. Fortunately, no lives were lost in that event.
4. DeNeveu Creek Bridge
Concrete, a durable yet porous mix of cement, sand, aggregate, and gravel, serves as the primary material for most bridges. While it excels under compressive forces (downward pressure), it struggles with tensile forces (stretching or pulling). To address this, engineers reinforce concrete with steel bars, or rebar, to enhance its tensile strength.
However, steel rebar is prone to corrosion when exposed to water, which can weaken the concrete. One common solution is coating the rebar with epoxy to protect it from corrosive elements. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed an alternative: a fiber-reinforced polymer matrix. This nonmetallic material resists corrosion, ensuring the concrete remains robust for longer periods.
The DeNeveu Creek Bridge, a 40-meter (131-foot) structure along Highway 151 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is the first real-world application of this advanced concrete. While it appears ordinary, its innovative design ensures exceptional durability. The bridge deck is expected to last at least 75 years, compared to the 30-40 year lifespan of traditional decks. Completed in 2005, it may not require major maintenance until 2080.
Next, we journey back to Europe to explore a bridge that connects Denmark and Sweden, spanning international borders.
3. Oresund Bridge
The Oresund Bridge, though challenging to construct, stands as a stunning testament to engineering excellence.
© iStockphoto/DeadDuckConstructing a bridge for a single purpose is already a monumental task. Now, imagine designing one that accommodates both trains and cars, while seamlessly integrating it with an underwater tunnel. These were the challenges engineers faced when planning the connection between Denmark and Sweden across the Oresund Strait. Their solution, the $3 billion Oresund Fixed Link, became one of Europe's most ambitious infrastructure projects [source: Lundhus].
The Fixed Link comprises three main sections. Traveling from Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden, you first encounter a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) immersed tunnel. Upon resurfacing, you arrive at Peberholm, an artificial Danish island created from dredged materials. From there, the journey continues onto the final segment: a 5-mile (8-kilometer) cable-stayed bridge that leads to Swedish territory.
The Oresund Fixed Link stands as a marvel of modern engineering. It holds the title of the world's longest cable-stayed bridge accommodating both road and rail traffic [source: Oresund Bridge Web site]. Its towers soar to 669 feet (204 meters), offering a navigational clearance of 187 feet (57 meters) beneath the main span. The bridge is designed with two levels: the lower deck for trains and the upper deck for vehicles.
Fortunately, the builders of the Oresund Bridge did not face challenges like earthquakes or seismic activity during construction. However, the engineers behind our next bridge were not as fortunate.
2. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge may soon lose its status as the world's longest suspension bridge. A proposed bridge across the Strait of Messina, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy, could claim the title.
AP Photo/Kyodo NewsJapan presents both a paradise and a challenge for bridge builders. Comprising four main islands and 4,000 smaller ones, it offers countless opportunities for bridge construction. However, its location in the Ring of Fire, a hotspot for earthquakes and volcanic activity, makes large-scale engineering projects exceptionally demanding. Despite these challenges, Japanese engineers succeeded with the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, completed in 1998, amazed the world with its monumental scale. Spanning 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) across the Akashi Strait, its central section alone covers nearly half that distance. The bridge's towers rise 928 feet (283 meters) above the water, with cables capable of handling tensile forces of 132,000 tons (120,000 metric tons). Not only is it the pinnacle of Japan's extensive bridge network, but it also holds the record as the world's longest suspension bridge with the tallest towers. Remarkably, it withstood a 7.2-magnitude earthquake during construction on January 17, 1995, which shifted its foundations and expanded its central span by 2.6 feet (80 centimeters). Engineers adapted by lengthening the cables and redesigning the girders, ensuring the project continued without further issues.
Meanwhile, in North America, another lengthy bridge challenged the expertise and creativity of engineers.
1. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Oneil Lewis collects a toll from a driver at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia Beach, Va. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2004, this structure is recognized as the world's largest bridge-tunnel complex.
AP Photo/Jason M. HirschfeldTwo bridges cross the Chesapeake Bay, a vast estuary between Virginia and Maryland. The first, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, is a 4.32-mile (6.95-kilometer) dual-span bridge linking Maryland's eastern and western shores. While it features a mix of cantilever, arch, and suspension designs, it is overshadowed by its southern counterpart. The Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Bridge-Tunnel, commonly known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, stands out as a more impressive feat of engineering.
True to its name, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel combines bridges and tunnels to cover the 17 miles (27.4 kilometers) of brackish water between Cape Charles and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Most of the structure is elevated above the water, supported by over 5,000 piers, many of which are low, giving the bridge the appearance of gliding just above the surface. To accommodate shipping traffic, two 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) tunnels run beneath the bay's main navigation channels. Artificial islands, each about 5 acres (2 hectares) in size, serve as transition points between the tunnels and bridges.
Upon its completion in 1965, the original bridge-tunnel complex (now the northbound section) earned the American Society of Civil Engineers' award for "Outstanding Engineering Achievement" and was named one of the "Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World." In 1999, a second parallel link (the southbound section) was completed, further enhancing this engineering marvel.
