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Floating bridges are bridges that are supported by pontoons, boats, or other floating structures instead of fixed piers or columns. They are usually built over water bodies that are too deep, too soft, or too variable for conventional bridges. Floating bridges are also flexible and adaptable to changing conditions, such as water levels, currents, and winds.
Floating bridges are not very common, as they require special engineering and maintenance. However, they are also fascinating and impressive feats of construction that offer unique experiences for travelers. If you are an adventure buff who loves to ride on unusual and thrilling bridges, here are some of the best-floating bridges in the world that you should check out.
1. Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Seattle, USA
The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, also known as the SR 520 Albert D. Rosellini Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, is the longest floating bridge in the world, with a floating span of 2,350 meters. It carries State Route 520 across Lake Washington from Seattle to its eastern suburbs. It features 77 concrete pontoons secured to the lake bottom by 58 anchors tethered to steel cables. The bridge has six lanes, including two reversible express lanes, and a bicycle and pedestrian path. It also has a smart design that can monitor traffic, weather, and structural conditions and adjust accordingly. The bridge, which was built in 1963 as a four-lane floating bridge, was replaced by a new bridge in 2016.
2. Jiaxing-Shaoxing Sea Bridge, China
The Jiaxing-Shaoxing Sea Bridge is the longest cross-sea floating bridge in the world, with a floating span of 2,680 meters. It connects the cities of Jiaxing and Shaoxing in Zhejiang province, crossing Hangzhou Bay. It consists of 208 steel pontoons that support a six-lane highway. The bridge can withstand strong winds, waves, and earthquakes. It also has a movable section that can open to allow ships to pass through. The bridge opened in 2013, reducing the travel time between the two cities from two hours to half an hour.
3. Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, Washington, US
The Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, also known as the Third Lake Washington Bridge, stands as a remarkable floating bridge in the Seattle metropolitan area, Washington, US. As the fifth-longest floating bridge globally, it stretches an impressive 5,811 feet, carrying the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washington from Mercer Island to Seattle. The bridge features a bicycle and pedestrian path, as well as a reversible express lane. Its concrete pontoons provide support for the steel superstructure. In 1993, this bridge replaced an earlier floating bridge that sank in 1990 during refurbishment and repair.
4. Hood Canal Bridge, USA
The Hood Canal Bridge is the third longest floating bridge in the world and the longest floating bridge over saltwater, with a floating span of 1,988 meters. It carries State Route 104 across Hood Canal, a natural fjord that empties into Puget Sound. The bridge connects the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas in Washington state. It consists of concrete pontoons that support a four-lane highway and a drawbridge section that can open to allow marine traffic to pass through. The bridge opened in 1961 but was partially destroyed by a windstorm in 1979. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1982. From 2003 to 2009, the eastern portion of the bridge's floating section underwent replacement, with new pontoons and superstructure being installed.
5. Queen Emma Bridge, Curaçao
The Queen Emma Bridge is a pontoon bridge that connects Punda and Otrabanda across the harbor of Willemstad on the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea. It has a length of 168 meters and consists of 16 boats that support a wooden deck with railings and benches. The bridge is hinged and can open regularly to enable the passage of oceangoing vessels. When the bridge is open, pedestrians can use free ferries to cross the harbor. The bridge was built in 1888 as a toll bridge but became free in 1934 when Queen Emma visited Curaçao. The bridge is commonly referred to as "The Swinging Old Lady" or "Our Swinging Lady."
6. Shiziguan Floating Bridge, China
The Shiziguan Floating Bridge is the world's first floating swing bridge, which connects two artificial islands, Yumeshima and Maishima, in Osaka Bay in Japan. It has a floating span of 410 meters and a swing span of 100 meters. The bridge can rotate up to 90 degrees to allow ships to pass through. The bridge is made of steel pontoons that support a two-lane road and a pedestrian walkway. It also has sensors and cameras that monitor its position and movement. The bridge was inaugurated in 2001 as a component of a urban development initiative in Osaka.
7. William R. Bennett Bridge, British Columbia, Canada
Connecting the communities of Kelowna and Westbank in the interior of British Columbia, the William R. Bennett Bridge spans Okanagan Lake. This floating bridge, stretching a total of 1,060 meters, is capable of pitch, roll, yaw, vertical movement, and dynamic response to waves and wind. It carries Highway 97 and features five lanes, including a reversible lane for peak traffic periods. The bridge accommodates a bicycle and pedestrian path and offers a scenic lookout point. Opened in 2008, it replaced the Okanagan Lake Bridge, Canada's first-ever floating bridge.
8. Kozhikode's Beypore Marina Beach Floating Bridge, Kerala
In Kerala, a state in India, the first floating bridge was recently constructed at Beypore Marina Beach in Kozhikode district. Adventure enthusiasts can now experience the thrill of floating over the waves on this 100-meter-long bridge, boasting a width of 3 meters. The bridge, made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes filled with air and connected by steel cables, provides tourists with a unique marine experience. Equipped with railings and lights for safety and visibility, this floating bridge is a testament to innovation and engineering.
These amazing floating bridges worldwide offer not only engineering marvels but also serve as scenic attractions that showcase the beauty and diversity of nature and culture. Embark on a journey to these extraordinary structures and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring experiences they offer.
