1. Kaikyo Bridge in Akashi
Location: Japan’s Akashi Strait
Completed Cost: $4.3 Billion
Year Completed: 1998
When it was first opened on April 5, 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge—also referred to as the Pearl Bridge or the Akashi Strait Bridge—was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It is truly a sight to behold, measuring an incredible 12,831 feet long with three spans.
©Matt Roberts/Getty Images Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
However, the bridge faces some of the fiercest storms on Earth and sits majestically in an area that is prone to earthquakes. However, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is not affected by this since it is supported by a complex system of steel truss girders, pendulums, and counterweights that enable the bridge to resist winds of up to 180 mph.
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