Bridge is an iconic structure for countries which helps traffic navigation over physical obstacles especially body of water. Here are famous bridges around the world in pretty scenic views. Some are spectacular breathtaking.
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Construction on the bridge began in 1831 after some design competitions. However, construction was halted numerous times over the following years. Brunel, the bridge designer, passed away in 1859 seeing only the completion of the stone towers. His colleagues resumed the push for completion of construction after his death. Construction resumed in 1862 and was completed in 1864.
Brooklyn Bridge, New York City
Brooklyn Bridge is situated on East River, Park Row in New York. In the early 1800s, the residents of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan discussed the idea of a bridge to link the 2 cities together to let people and goods to cross the East River. Today, the bridge is a National Historic Landmark and has the 44th longest main span among the world's suspension bridges.
Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado
America's highest suspension bridge may be breathtaking for some, but those scared of heights may be left gasping for air as they stare straight down nearly 90 stories at the Arkansas River below. Completed in 1929, the bridge didn't have stabilizing wind cables until 1982.
Qingdao Haiwan Bridge, China
At 42.5 kilometers, the Qingdao Haiwan Bridge, connecting the city of Qingdao in Eastern China's Shandong province with the suburban Huangdao District across the waters of the northern part of Jiaozhou Bay, is the longest bridge over water. The six-lane road bridge is almost 5 kilometers longer than the previous record holder – the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the American state of Louisiana. When it opens to traffic later this year, the bridge is expected to carry over 30,000 cars a day and will cut the commute between the city of Qingdao and the sprawling suburb of Huangdao by between 20 and 30 minutes.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist tilt bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Gateshead's Quays arts quarter on the south bank, and the Quayside of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank. The award-winning structure was conceived and designed by architects Wilkinson Eyre and structural engineers Gifford. The bridge is sometimes referred to as the 'Blinking Eye Bridge or the 'Winking Eye Bridge due to its shape and its tilting method. In terms of height, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is slightly shorter than the neighbouring Tyne Bridge, and stands as the sixteenth tallest structure in the city.
Kintai Bridge, Japan
It is a historical wooden arch bridge, located in Iwakuni. Built in 1673, it spans Nishiki River, in a scenic location (at the foot of Mt. Yokoyama, offering great views of the castle above). Destroyed by a flood the next year, it was reconstructed and periodical maintenance included reconstruction of the bridge. It was destroyed again by floods in 1950 and the bridge which stands today was reconstructed in 1953.
Great Seto Bridge, Japan
It is the collective name given to the six bridges that link the islands between the prefectures of Okayama and Kagawa. It took approximately ten years to construct the 9.4-kilometer Great Seto Bridge which was finally opened in 1988.
Moon Bridge, Japan
This type of bridge was originally designed as a means to allow pedestrians to cross canals while allowing the passage of barges beneath. When constructed using the climbing ascent and descent this had the further advantage of not using space from the adjoining fields for approaches. As part of formal garden design the bridge will be placed where its reflection is seen when the water is still. The half circle is intended to reflect in the calm water below the bridge, creating a full circle between bridge and reflection, a reference to the shape of the full moon.
Sky Bridge Petronas, Malaysia
It's also home to the Petronas Towers, once the world's tallest building at 452m high. The 88 floors have 32,000 windows and 58 elevators. Their height was surpassed in 2004 by Taipei 101, and more recently by the Burj Dubai, but they still remain the world's tallest twin towers.
Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge, Brazil
The bridge deck is unusual due to its form, which is similar to an "X", crossing at the tower. The "X" is 76 meters wide at its base and 35.4 meters wide at the top. It is the only bridge in the world that has two curved tracks supported by a single concrete mast. The two curved tracks, one at an elevation of 12 meters and the other at an elevation of 24 meters, have approximate lengths of 900 meters each.
Khaju Brigde, Iran
This bridge highlights one of the finest examples of Persian architecture at the height of Safavid cultural influence in Iran. On the upper level of the bridge, the main central aisle was utilized by horses and carts and the vaulted paths on either side by pedestrians. Octagonal pavilions in the center of the bridge on both the down and the upstream sides provide vantage points for the remarkable views. The lower level of the bridge may be accessed by pedestrians and remains a popular shady place for relaxing.
Aiola Island Bridge, Austria
A cool bar located on a river. Aiola Island, located right in the center of the Mur River in Graz, Austria, was built in 2003, and immediately developed itself as a popular attraction. The 'island' was created by the New York artist Vito Acconci. It has a sunbathing area, a trendy bar and a coffee house, plus it allows you to cross the Mur River from one shore to another.
Helix Bridge, Singapore
The Helix Bridge , also known as the Double Helix Bridge , is a pedestrian bridge which connects the Marina Centre with Marina South in the Marina Bay area in Singapore. It was opened in April 24, 2010. The special spirals of the bridge take the shape of DNA: the element at the root of life. This bridge hence symbolize life, renewal and growth.
Banpo Bridge, South Korea
Banpo Bridge is on top of Jamsu Bridge, forming a "double deck" bridge. When the water level rises too high, the Jamsu Bridge becomes covered with water and gets closed off. The lower deck incorporates pedestrian and bicycle paths that provide easy access to the Banpo Hangang Park from the north side of the river. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is installed in September 2009 on the Banpo Bridge. The bridge has 38 water pumps and 380 nozzles on either side, which draw 190 tons of water per minute from the river 20 meters below the deck, and shoots as far as 43 meters horizontally.
President JK Bridge, Brazil
It is named for Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, former president of Brazil, who in the late 1950s decided to build Brasília as the new capital of the country. It was designed by architect Alexandre Chan and structural engineer Mário Vila Verde.
Magdeburg Water Bridge, Germany
The Magdeburg Water Bridge is a navigable aqueduct in Germany that connects the Elbe-Havel Canal to the Mittelland Canal, and allows ships to cross over the Elbe River. At 918 meters, it is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. The Elbe-Havel and Mittelland canals had previously met near Magdeburg but on opposite sides of the Elbe. Ships moving between the two had to make a 12-kilometer detour, descending from the Mittelland Canal through the Rothensee boat lift into the Elbe, then sailing downstream on the river, before entering the Elbe-Havel Canal through Niegripp lock. Low water levels in the Elbe often prevented fully laden canal barges from making this crossing, requiring time-consuming off-loading of cargo.
Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
It's not a bridge to the sky, but it's not far from the idea! The Langkawi sky-bridge in Malaysia is suspended at 700 metres above sea level and spans 125m across the mountains, offering magnificent views of the Andaman Sea and Thailand's Tarutao Island. It's set apart from other bridges by its curves that provide different perspectives of the landscapes. Here's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world that delivers quite a pump of adrenaline.
Nanpu Bridge, China
Known for its funky and innovative spiral approach, Shanghai's Nanpu Bridge designers came up with the novel idea to save space. When you can't build out, build up.
Ponte Vecchio, Italy
The Vecchio Bridge (Ponte Vecchio) is the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence, Italy. Locals and tourists love to visit this beautiful bridge that spans the Arno River and to browse the jewellery shops that are located on the bridge. Ponte Vecchio crosses the Arno from the Uffizzi Gallery on the north bank (Signoria District) to the Oltrarno District on the south bank (right side below). This is where the Pitti Palace is located.
Millau Bridge, France
The Millau Bridge is in southern France and crosses the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains. It was designed by the British architect Lord Foster and at 300m (984 feet) it is the highest road bridge in the world, weighing 36,000 tonnes. The central pillar is higher than the famous French icon, the Eiffel Tower. The Bridge opened in December 2004 and is possibly one of the most breath taking bridges ever built.
