Welcome To The World Of Underwater Bridges.
Want to know about underwater bridges in detail? Well, you hit the jackpot. This article will compile and talk about some of the best and finest underwater bridges that are across the world. The last one is more than 200 years old. So stick around as we take you on a mesmerizing journey in celebration of these engineering feats.
What Was The Need For Underwater Bridges?
In recent years, underwater bridges have gained popularity. They have transformed from a means of traveling to something to marvel at. Every year thousands of tourists flock in to witness the marvels that are underwater bridges. The ethereal feeling of going under tons of water to get to another nation or continent is not something you experience every day. So in celebration of these amazing feats of engineering, we will look at some of the most iconic underwater bridges you can find.
Best Underwater Bridges You Need To Know About.
Although engineers love building bridges that move underwater, that does not mean that they are an easy feat to achieve. A lot of logistical and types of machinery get involved as it takes careful engineering to drill under a sea and then keep it from collapsing. So, let us look at some of the most prominent underwater bridges.
Seikan Tunnel
Seikan Tunnel of Japan is popularly lauded as one of the longest as well as the deepest underwater tunnels of this century. The total length of the tunnel measures around 53.9 kms. The tunnel stretches across the Tsugaru Strait and connects the Amoro Prefecture of Honshu Island with Hokkaido Island. This is more of an underwater railway than a bridge. In fact, many lovers of the bridge claim that this tunnel is one of the longest underwater railway systems in existence in the world, but that is a contentious claim.
Channel Tunnel
This is one of the best tunnels in the world, according to several outlets. The Channel Tunnel was so popular at the time of its inauguration that every country wanted one for themselves. The overall stretch of the tunnel is around 50.5 kms and connects Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, in France, with Folkestone, Kent, in the United Kingdom. When it was opened for public usage, it was one of the longest tunnels in the world. But that day has passed. Still, it holds great significance and scientific importance for students of engineering. The tunnel carries a high-speed Eurostar train. However, the tunnel in Japan is both longer and deeper than the train that Channel Tunnel. The tunnel was opened around 1994. Therefore, it is one of the most recent underwater tunnels of this century, a weird achievement. But an achievement nonetheless.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Spanning across the Eastern Shore of the Delmarva Peninsula to Virginia Beach, the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel is one of the most driven-on underwater bridges or tunnels you can come across. According to stats provided on Wikipedia, the tunnel has seen close to a million vehicles. The tunnel measures around 23 miles or 37 kilometers. It might not be a very long underwater bridge, but it is definitely one of the busiest and most important routes that connects two different parts of America.
Bomlafjord Tunnel
Bomlafjord Tunnel is one of the shortest underwater bridges or tunnels on the list. The humble 7.8 km long tunnel connects the island of Foyno in Stord to the mainland at the Dalshovda in Sveio. The tunnel is approximately 260 meters or 854 feet below sea level. The plans for the tunnel were established in the 1980s, and subsequently, the tunnel opened for public usage in the 2000s. The country of origin for this amazing feat of origin is Norway. One thing that most people do not talk about the tunnel is its eerie essence that the tunnel harbors. Drivers have claimed that the tunnel can be quite overwhelming for some people. Therefore, local folks believe that the tunnel has some ethereal presence. Meanwhile, some have claimed that the drive is fairly serene.
Eiksund Tunnel
The Eiksund tunnel is the fifth tunnel on our list that holds significant importance. The Eiksund Tunnel, like the Bomlafjord, is an engineering feat of the Nordic people. The tunnel runs under Vartdalsfjorden and connects Orsta Municipality with the Ulstein Municipality. The tunnel was built as a part of a tunnel project along with Bomlafjord and another. This is a commercial road. This means 50% of the vehicles crossing the tunnel are trucks or other heavy vehicles.
Thames Tunnel
The First ever documented underwater bridge or tunnel was the Thames Tunnel. The tunnel was believed to have been built around 1845 to 1843. The tunnel was primarily built for horse-drawn carriages. However, that never happened.
Even though it is one of the shortest underwater bridges on the list, it is definitely the oldest and the first of its kind. Located just below 75 feet. The tunnel was also built as an escape route if the city was ever under siege. Therefore, the tunnel was an engineering feat, along with a politically important landmark for the nation of England.
Final Thought
So there you go. These were some of the best and most significant underwater bridges that are across the planet. The charm of these bridges will escape many, but for people who have an eye for all things engineering and technical feats, they can be quite mesmerizing. They can also be quite overwhelming for people who have a fear of closed spaces. Otherwise, they are perfectly great for exploring.
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