Tokyo Gate Bridge opened to traffic on Sunday. The 2,618-meter-long truss bridge is 87.8 meters high and spans Tokyo Bay, linking Wakasu in Koto Ward with the Jonanjima Seaside Park in Ota Ward. The central span is 440 meters.
The bridge has four lanes and walkway that is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers views of Mount Fuji and the new Tokyo Sky Tree, which opens on May 22.
The toll-free bridge spans a major sea lane into Tokyo Port, but its height had to be restricted to below 100 meters because planes fly over it on their way to and from Haneda Airport.
Construction of the bridge begane in 2003,. It is intended to ease congestion on the Wangan Expressway.
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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HansNFranz
I am deeply irritated by the excitement from both the media and private people for this new bridge.
Arthur Dumbolov
Pretty bridge, indeed! But not longest...
My city has longest bridge in European part of Russia, I wish there could be many long bridges around the world.
tomatoflight
anglootaku,
"The toll-free bridge spans a major sea lane into Tokyo Port, but its height had to be restricted to below 100 meters because planes fly over it on their way to and from Haneda Airport. "
No toll.
anglootaku
How much is the toll on it?
viking68
Saw this bridge being assembled. It was a marvel to see being built. On large section was assembled on a barge somewhere near Odaiba. I thought the assembly was an oil rig lying on its side until one day it was being hauled out to the bridge.Three huge cranes picked it up and the crews put it in place over a day.
It doesn't look like it joins anywhere, and it made me wonder if it was a bridge to nowhere. I'll have another look to see if there is traffic. Plus, may need to have a walk across one day.
yagura
Nope. Just some metal rail barrier/fence on the walkway side that isn't very high at all (probably 150-160cm high at most; I'm about 190cm and it didn't even come up to mid chest on me). It definitely doesn't seem like it would be much of a deterrent to anybody trying to jump. Also, easy for people to climb up on and look over the side because the middle hand rail is just wide enough and far enough from the ground to be used as a step.
There were signs warning people not to climb the fence, but that was about it. I am a bit surprised they didn't do a little more considering how windy it can get and how high it is. I am guessing that they did it this way so that they wouldn't obstruct the view from the walkway. I only hope they don't come to regret it.
Tried to find a good picture to show what i mean, but this was the best I could find. This the how it is at the ends. http://clicccar.com/2012/02/13/113532/20-38
This is from the middle of the bridge. A bit higher than at the ends but not by much. http://clicccar.com/2012/02/13/113532/22-32
nath
not to be a down but @yagura did it seem like that had good fencing or rails to deter people from jumping. Many times bridges like these become famous suicide locations. ie: Golden Gate Bridge
I wonder what kind of precautions have they taken.
yagura
The park seems to have been around for awhile. Bike rentals, a camping area, fishing and some other stuff. Part of it is built around a golf course. Nice walking/bike path along Tokyo Bay. Think one time around is about 6km.
CharlieCard
Is Wakashu park new?
yagura
Pretty impressive. Was a bit chilly so we only walked about halfway across before turning back. Nice view though so probably will go back when it gets warmer. Wakashu Park was nice as well.
One thing that did surprise me was how low the railings were. Seems like they should be higher. Too easy for somebody to climb over with nothing between them and Tokyo Bay below.