Structures in Kansai

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Bridges The challenge of building the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - connection, transportation

The challenge of building the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
  • Foundations 60 meters under water
    To carry out construction at a water depth of 60 m with tidal currents of up to 4.5 m/s, huge cylindrical iron caissons that would become the foundation were brought in, and underwater concrete was used.
  • Towers 300 m high
    The huge bridge towers were precisely constructed to stand straight. The bridge also incorporates devices to control vibration caused by the wind.
  • Designed to withstand wind speeds of 80 m/s
    The bridge was designed to withstand wind speeds of 80 m/s (179 mph). A 1:100 scale model (40 m long) was built and tested in a wind tunnel to guarantee safety.
  • World's longest center span: 1,991 m
    At 1,991 m, the span between the two main bridge towers is the longest in the world. This far exceeds the previous record of 1,625 m held by the Greatbelt East Bridge in Denmark.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Photo: Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority



Tsukuhara Bridge (Yamada-cho, Kobe) The Tsukuhara Bridge: a new bridge alternative
Designed for safety and economic considerations, this bridge uses an intermediate approach to construction that represents a blending of the conventional concrete bridge that uses steel wires with the cable-stayed bridge. The unique form enables a span larger than that of concrete bridges with a more gentle appearance than that of cable-stayed bridges. This creative design is a new alternative in scenic landmarks.
Tsukuhara Bridge (Yamada-cho, Kobe) Photo: Sumitomo Construction Co., Ltd.


Bridge length: 323 m, span length: 180 m. The world's largest extradosed bridge.
Completed 1998
Design Japan Bridge & Structure Institute
Construction Sumitomo Construction Co., Ltd. and Daiho Corporation joint venture(Dept of civil engineering, Hyogo Pref. Govt. Tel: 078-362-3499)




Kushimoto Bridge
Completed 1999
Kushimoto Bridge
The first bridge to link Oshima Island with Honshu, Japan's main island. This gently arcing parabolic arch bridge blends in with the richly varied natural environment of Yoshino Kumano National Park.
Oshima to Izumo, Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture(Road Construction Div., Wakayama Pref. Govt. Tel: 0734-32-4111)
Design Kushimoto Construction Div. Dept of Higashimuro Promotion, Wakayama Pref. Govt.
Construction Upper section: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., NKK Corp., Topy Industries, Ltd. and Fuji Car Mfg. Co., Ltd. joint venture
Bridge length approx. 676 m (total length approx. 3,814 m)
Type Arch bridge

Shikoku Saburo Bridge
Completed 1998
Shikoku Saburo Bridge
This bridge links the perimeter of the city with its center over the Yoshino River, also known as Shikoku Saburo. The cable-stayed bridge forms a scenic attraction and enables the use of a pier as a rowing marina.
Fudohigashimachi to Ojin Town, Tokushima City(Dept. of Urban Road Construction, Tokushima Pref. Govt. Tel: 088-621-2682)
Design Chodai Co., Ltd.
Construction Upper section: Kawada Industries, Inc., Hitachi Zosen Corp. and Nippon Steel Corp. joint venture
Lower section: Kumagai Gumi, Daiho Corp. and Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd. joint venture
Bridge length 910.5 m (total length approx. 2,440 m)
Type Cable-stayed bridge

Osaka Monorail Yodogawa Bridge
Completed 1997
Osaka Monorail Yodogawa Bridge
The longest monorail bridge in Japan. The center span was made long because of the conditions of the Yodo River. The five symmetrical arches add a new view to the river.
Torikai, Settsu City, to Dainichi, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture(Roads Division, Public Works Dept., Osaka Pref. Govt. Tel: 06-6944-6789)
Design Newjec Inc.
Construction Upper section: Kurimoto, Ltd. and Sakai Iron Works Co., Ltd. joint venture; Yokogawa Bridge Corp. and Japan Bridge Corp. joint venture; Matsuo Bridge Co., Ltd., Komai Tekko Inc. and Katayama Stratech Corp. joint venture; Hitachi Zosen Corporation and Mitui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. joint venture; Takadakiko Co., Ltd. and Harumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. joint venture
Lower section: Murazumi Construction Company and Okuno Gumi joint venture; Obayashi Corporation, Daiho Corp. and Tsuboyama Construction Company Ltd. joint venture; Shiraishi Corp.
Bridge length 632 m
Type 5-span Nielsen-Lohse bridge (arch bridge)

Skygate Bridge R
Completed 1994
Skygate Bridge R
The bridge connecting the Kansai International Airport with Honshu, This is the world's longest bridge to accommodate both vehicular and rail traffic. Vehicles travel on the upper deck and trains on the lower deck.
Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture(Kansai International Airport Tel: 0724-55-2201)
Design Kansai International Airport Connecting Bridge Design and Construction Committee
Construction Joint venture (2 firms) and joint venture (14 construction firms)
Bridge length 3,750 m
Type Steel continuous truss bridge (six vehicular lanes and double-track rail line)
Construction method Use of underwater concrete

Maizuru Crane Bridge
Completed 1999
Maizuru Crane Bridge
The largest cable-stayed bridge on the Japan Sea side of Japan. The main tower looks like the beak of a crane and the cables represent its outspread wings. The bridge is lit up at night during certain periods.
Taira to Obasimo, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture(Maizuru City Office Tel: 0773-62-2300)
Design The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Construction Upper section: Hitachi Zosen Corp. and Sakai Iron Works Co., Ltd. joint venture
Lower section: JCD Corp. and Aisawa Construction Co., Ltd. joint venture
Bridge length 735 m
Type Cable-stayed bridge


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