The United States spans over 3.8 million square miles, with approximately 269,717 square miles covered by water, including rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Navigating this vast network of water bodies has historically posed challenges for travel between states, necessitating the construction of robust bridges to facilitate easier movement and communication.
In this, the top five longest bridges in the US are highlighted, which have been pivotal in connecting various regions.These impressive structures enhance transportation and contribute significantly to their respective areas’ economic development.
List of 5 longest bridges in the US
Bridge Name
Length
Location
Built
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
24 miles
Louisiana
1956
Manchac Swamp Bridge
23 miles
Louisiana
1979
Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
18.2 miles
Louisiana
1973
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
17.6 miles
Virginia
1964
I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge
11 miles
Louisiana
1972
Top 5 longest bridges in the United States
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
At 24 miles, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the world’s longest continuous bridge over water. It connects Metairie, a New Orleans suburb, to Mandeville on Lake Pontchartrain’s north shore. This bridge is an important transportation link for the region, aiding the mobility of inhabitants and visitors. The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission completed its construction, and its length is still unmatched globally, demonstrating great engineering expertise.
Manchac Swamp Bridge
The Manchac Swamp Bridge is an important infrastructure component because of its length and location. This twin concrete trestle bridge spans the Manchac Swamp, connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Built in 1979, the bridge is an important transportation corridor on Interstate 55. It offers stunning views of the surrounding marshes, making it a favourite place for bird viewing and wildlife observation. Its length and construction are tailored to the tough swamp environment, providing a dependable route for commuters and travellers.
Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, previously known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, is the United States’ third-longest bridge. Completed in 1973, it stretches 18.2 miles across the Atchafalaya Basin, a large wetland area. This bridge connects Interstate 10, connecting Lafayette and Baton Rouge. It is made up of parallel bridges that cross the Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel and the Atchafalaya River. The bridge is critical for regional connectivity and handles a substantial amount of traffic, however its narrowness and lack of shoulders in some parts can cause problems.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, spanning 17.6 miles, is an engineering marvel that connects Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the mainland. It was completed in 1964 and is made up of both bridge and tunnel portions. The bridge has two tunnels that go under the Chesapeake Bay’s main shipping channels, each of which is more than a mile long. Four artificial islands were built in the harbour to help support the bridge and tunnel structures. The bridge-tunnel serves as an important transportation corridor, improving regional connectivity while exhibiting outstanding engineering and design.
I- 10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge
The 11-mile-long I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge is an important flood-control infrastructure component. It was built in 1972 and crosses the Bonnet Carré Spillway, a flood control structure meant to regulate excess water from the Mississippi River. The bridge connects New Orleans and Baton Rouge and transports approximately 50,000 vehicles daily. It is critical to the region’s flood management, ensuring safe and efficient transit across the spillway while also safeguarding nearby communities from potential flooding.
Fun facts about the longest bridges in the US
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway runs for 24 miles, which is longer than driving through Manhattan.
The Manchac Swamp Bridge provides views of alligators and includes structural precautions to safeguard these species.
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway also serves as a popular marathon route, with an initial plan for a tunnel being substituted by the bridge due to soil issues.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is also known as the “Bridge of Sighs,” in reference to its terrible past.
The Mackinac Bridge in Michigan is built to resist high winds and features a unique deicing technology.
Some long bridges, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, charge tolls for crossing.
The Brooklyn Bridge, while no longer the longest, was a trailblazing structure as the first suspension bridge to use steel wire ropes.
Also Read | The river that changed American history: The Mississippi’s role in shaping a nation
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 18:29:00
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