On November 21, 2024, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, connecting Staten Island with Brooklyn in New York City, will celebrate its 60th anniversary. To honour the anniversary, the 2024 New York Marathon will start at the bridge on November 3 and the structure will no doubt be photographed countless times.
When completed in 1964, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, holding that honour until the Humber Bridge opened in 1984. In this respect, it is just one of the many bridge record-setters that have found themselves outshone by other bridges.
But whether record-holders or not, bridges have a fascination for travellers and photographers alike and are much-loved aspects of local landscapes the world over. Seeing a famous bridge is as much a bucket-list must-do as anything else, so Europesure Travel Insurance has rounded up a few – not always obvious bridges – you might want to see on your travels.
Akasha-Kaikyo (Pearl Bridge), Kobe-Naruto, Japan
This is the world’s longest suspension bridge at a curious length of 1991 metres. Why not a nice round 1900, you may ask? Well, this bridge was being constructed at the time of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, and the resulting movement led to an extra 1 metre having to be added. The bridge, which connects Kobe mainland to Iwaya on Awayi Island, is built to withstand extreme weather, including winds up to 178mph, harsh seas and earthquakes up to magnitude 8.5. Such conditions are fairly frequent in this part of the world (one reason why travel insurance is essential, in case such things impact travel plans).
Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong
Talking of harsh conditions, the world’s largest suspension bridge, and now ninth longest, Tsing Ma, was built to withstand typhoons and had to be wind-tested before opening in 1997. Various to-scale models also had to be created, to test its viability. It is a rail and road bridge only, with two decks and even sheltered carriageways on the lower deck, to provide shelter in the event of severe winds.
Lupu Bridge, Shanghai, China
Staying in Asia, the Lupu Bridge in Shanghai is the world’s longest steel arch bridge, at 3900 metres, and was the 2008 winner of the Oustanding Structure award – the one they all want to win in bridge design! It crosses the Huangpu river and connects Huangpu with Pudang district. Its name originally took inspiration from the pu of Huangpu and the Lu of Luwan, although the latter district no longer exists. It provided an excellent view of the 2010 World Expo Site, to which it was adjacent.
Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, Sanjian County, Guangxi, China
Think it’s impossible to build a bridge without nails or rivets? Think again! This three-floored, pedestrian-only bridge, which spans the Linxi River, is constructed from thousands of dovetailed pieces of wood, pieced together to represent a rainbow. Its intention is to encourage people from river-divided communities to mingle and build relationships, so it also includes pavilions and verandas at which confabbing is possible.
Helix Bridge, Marina Bay, Singapore
This bridge, connecting Singapore’s Marina South and Marina Centre areas, is designed in special stainless steel and is a 280-metre long double helix bridge taking its inspiration from the shape of DNA. Multiple types of steel are shaped and curved to create the DNA illusion and visual spectacle and there are five viewing platforms incorporated.
Confederation Bridge, Prince Edward Island, Canada
This bridge is a world-record-holding structure because it is the longest bridge in the world to be built over ice. It links Prince Edward Island with the mainland Canadian province of New Brunswick, by spanning the Abegweit Passage of the Northumberland Strait.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
The Europesure Travel Insurance team just had to include this one, as it can rival the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which we covered previously, for the title of the ‘world’s most recognisable bridge’. Between 1937 and 1964, it was the world’s largest suspension bridge, stretching 9000 feet (2743 metres), across the Golden Gate Strait and connecting San Francisco with Marin County. Its distinctive colour – the reason for its name – is actually International Orange and intended to match the colours of the coastal area but also be seen by shipping and aircraft in the foggy conditions that often shrouds San Francisco. With towers carrying Art Deco details, this Joseph Strauss-designed bridge can withstand both high winds and earthquakes.
Millau Viaduct, Tran Valley, France
If you haven’t seen the Millau Viaduct, you really must, as it’s staggering, being the world’s highest vehicle-carrying bridge and one that crosses land, rather than water. As the tallest bridge on earth, with pylons just slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower, this 8000-metre-long bridge with seven pillars in its span, and designed by Lord Norman Foster, offers a brilliant view. The spectacle is so great, in fact, that when it was first built, there was a real issue with motorists stopping to take photos.
Stari Most, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Stari Most Bridge, in one form or another, has stood here, crossing the River Neretva, since the time of the Ottaman Turks. In fact, it had 427 calm years between 1566 and 1993, until it was destroyed during the Bosnian War. Such is its place in folklore that it was rebuilt and reopened in 2004. So what is that folklore? Well, it’s a place from which young men (very foolishly) leap into the river. With very cold water, not to mention other risks, visitors are not advised to follow suit. Travel insurance certainly would not cover that!
Ponte Vecchio, Florence
This bridge in Florence survived when all those around it were blown up by Nazi soldiers during the Second World War, supposedly through some sort of sentimental attachment to it felt by Hitler. He had certainly been given a tour of it by Mussolini, who ensured the view from the bridge was extended for the Führer. The bridge’s rich history probably saved it, keeping its hanging shops and houses, and famous yellow façade, unexpected protection.
A bridge has stood here, over the Arno, since Roman times and the Ponte Vecchio is Europe’s oldest stone, closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge. It’s multi-purpose nature has long been rooted in shopping. Originally used by fish sellers, leather artisans and butchers, it was the butchers who took hold, until expelled by the Medici family, who walked the bridge daily, to reach their offices. The stench did not make the trip from the Pitti Palace a pleasant one so, very swiftly, the butchers were replaced with goldsmiths. The Medici family similarly did not want to rub shoulders with the plebs, so Vasari had to design a special corridor within the bridge, through which they could pass. This doubled as an art gallery and carried paintings of famous Florentines. It also took them straight into the west wing of the Uffizi Gallery.
The term bankruptcy is said to have developed here. If a merchant could not pay for their stall, soldiers would break their table (banco), leaving it destroyed (rotto).
Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Gateshead, England
We’re ending back in the UK with this one, because where else can you find a bridge that winks at you? This is the only tilting bridge in the world too, thanks to a system based on hydraulic rams, which can pivot the walkway up to 40 degrees and allow boats to pass under. It’s in this mode that the winking eye effect appears.
Wherever you venture to ‘bag a bridge’, remember that Europesure Travel Insurance can provide comprehensive insurance for your leisure or business trip, whether you are a resident of the UK, EU, EEA, Monaco or Gibraltar. Choose from single trip or annual insurance, add in any extras you might require, such as golf, terrorism, weddings or car hire excess insurance, and delete certain covers, if not required. Then decide which of three levels of cover you wish to purchase. It’s as easy as that, so head to https://www.europesuretravelinsurance.com to bridge the gap in any overseas protection.
