10 of the Most Incredible Bridges on Earth

In this travel blog, cross over 10 of the most incredible bridges in the world.

#10 Eshima Ohashi

You might be frightened upon seeing this impressive bridge at first glance with its almost 90 degree angle roadway! In fact, if you take a closer look on both sides, it is a bridge with a two-lane pathway that has an incredibly steep slope which makes it so ships are able to pass underneath. The Eshima Ohashi in Japan would probably be among the craziest and most unbelievable bridges around the globe. Its steepness consists of a maximum gradient of 6.1%, unlike the average gradient of 5% for cyclists. It is a concrete road that is almost one and a half miles long towards the sky, only to make any drivers end up in a sudden drop off just like a roller coaster.

#9 Hartland/New Brunswick Bridge

You could bring your lover with you to cross this bridge for a romantic trip. Back in 1901, this site was renowned as the longest covered bridge in the world, and in 1980, it was known as a National Historic Site. The Hartland or New Brunswick Bridge in Canada is famed for being the “kissing bridge” as its 390 meter long structure was used by the young men who trained their horses to stop halfway across the bridge to steal some kisses before proceeding to the other side. This wonder is a one way pathway and was covered between the years of 1921 – 1922, despite the opposition of its locals thinking that it could bring a threat to the morale of the young people. In 1995, the Hartland or New Brunswick Bridge was given an honor through the issuing of a Canadian postage stamp with its image on it. 

#8 Sydney Harbour Bridge

This might be your next perfect place to end the year as it exhibits creative firework displays like a smiley face, disco ball, and many more fun effects. The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia is known for its big steel arch design that spans over 503 meters. The steelwork of the arch alone weighs a whopping 39,000 tons! Because of its arch-based design, Sydney locals decided to give it the nickname “The Coat Hanger,” and it serves as the Aussie’s pride and center of celebrations. The incredible bridge was opened to the public in 1932, with a festive celebration that attracted thousands of people. However, an unwanted disruption cut off the joyous event when the retired Captain Francis de Groot suddenly entered the scene with his horse and slashed the ribbon with his sword. After the incident, Capt. Groot was sent to a mental hospital as people believed that he was mentally ill.

#7 Vasco da Gama Bridge

Connecting northern and southern Portugal, the Vasco da Gama Bridge is considered the longest road bridge in Europe. Over 10 miles long, standing above the ocean water, and having a strong foundation of bed rock pillars that can withstand a strong Earthquake, it is no wonder why this bridge is known to be an amazing pathway amongst the other bridges in Lisbon. The creation of this bridge is due to the intolerable heavy traffic of the city, and building a new bridge that connects the two major sites had been frequently suggested by some. On its inauguration day in 1998, locals of the city gathered for a seated party along the lengthy bridge. Another opening coincided on this date. The Expo 98 was also opened to the public, where thousands of Spanish and European tourists attended the vibrant celebration.

#6 Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge

Would you imagine that this next surprising bridge on our list had a workforce of over 10,000 constructors and took four years to build? What in the world?! The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is an extensive bridge in China. It is the world’s longest bridge, measuring over 102 miles in length and connecting Shanghai to the town of Nanjing, the capital of China’s Jiangsu province. According to its history, China began transforming its country to quickly begin crafting massive public and industrial transport lines that have been connected to their major industrial hubs since the early 2000s. This led the Chinese government to build a splendid bridge. To make it a reality, the designers had to consider a lot of factors that could benefit the majority. In early 2006, the final design was decided and it is the period when the first work officially began. It was finally opened to the public around 2011.

#5 Millau Viaduct

If you think that the Eiffel Tower would be the tallest thing in France you might think twice upon seeing this statuesque structure. This Millau Viaduct holds the title of being the tallest bridge in the world, rising up to 343 meters! It opened to the public in the year 2004 and straddles the Tam Valley between the Clermont-Ferrand, Béziers and Narbonne. To witness a one of a kind view, adventurers may canoe underneath this site. Just like other viaducts, it was built to solve the congestion and disruption for locals. No one wants to get stressed driving the local highway roads. This masterpiece of the country was made by the British Architect Norman Foster, who was awarded with a Nobel Prize for Architecture for his undeniable passion in creating a world-class bridge.

#4 Pont du Gard 

Looking for the oldest bridge to cross? Check out this remarkable aqueduct
in France that will surely make you wonder about its interesting history. The Pont du Gard aqueduct is a Roman monument which was built in the first century AD. It is a three tier aqueduct that rises over 50 meters in height. It features soft, yellow limestone rock and was officially recognized as a historical monument by the French government in 1840. The construction of this superb bridge took almost 5 years with close to 1,000 workers. Did you know that the Pont du Gard does not have mortar in its structure? Rather than mortar, stones were used to create this fantastic antique bridge. In fact, this treasure contains over 50,000 tons of limestone and has a volume of 21,000 cubic meters. What a precious creation it is! Because of its well-preserved structure, UNESCO added this spot as a World Heritage Site in 1985 and it is now one of the most popular attractions, welcoming 1.4 million visitors in 2001! Pont du Gard really is a jewel of France.

#3 Golden Gate Bridge

Located in San Francisco, this iconic wonder opened for everyone in 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge in the USA proudly showcased its international orange shade during its opening day. There ended up being a week-long celebration fiesta. There were several struggles that happened during its construction, including an earthquake striking the bridge before the workers completed building it, and the death of 11 workers, despite safety measures. It has also saved 19 lives — with the safety net underneath the bridge. The people who got saved are now known as the members of the “Half-Way-to-Hell Club” as they have been a step closer to death.