These
pontoon bridges
A pontoon bridge (or ponton bridge), also known as a floating bridge, uses floats or shallow- draft boats to support a continuous deck for pedestrian and vehicle travel. The buoyancy of the supports limits the maximum load that they can carry. ...
are semi-permanent floating bridges located throughout the world. Four of the five longest floating bridges in the world are in
Washington state
Washington (), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. Named for George Washington—the first U.S. president—the state was formed from the western part of the Washington ...
.
Longest
The former
Albert D. Rosellini Evergreen Point Bridge, at 7,578 feet (2,310 m), was the longest floating bridge in the world until the replacement bridge opened in 2016.
List
Australia
*
Hobart Bridge
The Hobart Bridge was a floating arch bridge that crossed the River Derwent, connecting the eastern and western shores of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
History
Plans for a bridge to link the Derwent River’s two shores near Hoba ...
** Completed 1943. Spans
** Spanned the
Derwent River at
Hobart,
Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
** Constructed of hollow concrete pontoons, it was replaced by a new bridge in 1964
Belarus
*
Sozh Floating Bridge
The Sozh Floating Bridge is a pontoon bridge spanning the Sozh River at Korma, Belarus
Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Белару ...
** The new floating bridge replaced an older one and spanned the
Sozh River
The Sozh, or Sož ( be, Сож, ; russian: Сож, uk, Сож) is an international river flowing in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is a left bank tributary of the Dnieper. The Sozh passes through Gomel, the second largest city in Belarus.
T ...
at Korma,
Belarus
Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by ...
** Built in 2003/2004, carries light automobile traffic.
Canada
*
William R. Bennett Bridge
The William R. Bennett Bridge is a pontoon bridge in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Completed on May 25, 2008, the bridge replaced the older Okanagan Lake Bridge built in 1958 to link Downtown Kelowna to West Kelowna across Oka ...
in
Kelowna,
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
** Completed 2008. Spans .
** Spans
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake ( oka, kɬúsx̌nítkw) is a lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. The lake is long, between wide, and has a surface area of 348 km2 (135 sq. mi.).
Hydrography
Okanagan Lake is called a fjord lake as i ...
in
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
, carrying
Highway 97
Route 97, or Highway 97, may refer to:
Australia
- Olympic Dam Highway, South Australia
Canada
* British Columbia Highway 97
** British Columbia Highway 97A
** British Columbia Highway 97B
** British Columbia Highway 97C
** British Columb ...
from
Kelowna to
West Kelowna
West Kelowna, formerly known as Westbank and colloquially known as Westside, is a city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The city encompasses several distinct neighbourhoods, including Casa Loma, Gellatly, Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights, Shan ...
. Built to replace
Okanagan Lake Bridge
The Okanagan Lake Bridge (also known as the Kelowna Floating Bridge) was a three-lane, long floating bridge in British Columbia, Canada. It crossed Okanagan Lake, connecting the Westside area to Kelowna on the lake's eastern side. Taller boa ...
, which was the first floating bridge built in
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
. The old 3 lane floating bridge has been replaced by a new, 5 lane floating bridge. The old bridge —
Okanagan Lake Bridge
The Okanagan Lake Bridge (also known as the Kelowna Floating Bridge) was a three-lane, long floating bridge in British Columbia, Canada. It crossed Okanagan Lake, connecting the Westside area to Kelowna on the lake's eastern side. Taller boa ...
— was closed on May 31, 2008.
China
*
Dongjin Bridge
The Dongjin Bridge () or Jianchunmen Pontoon Bridge () in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, China is a pontoon bridge constructed over the Gong River in the Chinese Song dynasty (960–1279). Situated outside the Jianchunmen gate of the Ganzhou city wa ...
in
Ganzhou
Ganzhou (), alternately romanized as Kanchow, is a prefecture-level city in the south of Jiangxi province, China, bordering Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, and Hunan to the west. Its administrative seat is at Zhanggong District.
Hist ...
,
China
** Pontoon bridges have been constructed over the Zhang and Gong rivers since the
Song Dynasty
The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...
(960-1279).
** One of the bridges, the
Dongjin Bridge
The Dongjin Bridge () or Jianchunmen Pontoon Bridge () in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, China is a pontoon bridge constructed over the Gong River in the Chinese Song dynasty (960–1279). Situated outside the Jianchunmen gate of the Ganzhou city wa ...
, can still be seen.
** It is 400 metres long, made up of wooden planks placed on around 100 wooden boats linked together with iron chains.
*
Guangji Bridge (Chaozhou)
Guangji Bridge (), also known as Xiangzi Bridge (), is an ancient bridge that crosses the Han River east of Chaozhou, Guangdong province, China. ,
China
Curaçao
*
Queen Emma Bridge
The Queen Emma Bridge ( nl, Koningin Emmabrug; pap, Brùg di Ponton, Brùg di Punda) is a pontoon bridge across St. Anna Bay in Curaçao. It connects the Punda and Otrobanda quarters of the capital city, Willemstad. It was named after Emma of ...
** A pontoon bridge from Punda to Otrabanda across the harbor of
Willemstad
Willemstad ( , ; ; en, William Town, italic=yes) is the capital city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that forms a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was the capital of the Netherlands Antilles pr ...
on the island of
Curaçao. Notable because this permanent bridge is hinged and opens regularly to enable the passage of oceangoing vessels.
** Span
Egypt
*
Martyr Ahmed El-Mansy Floating Bridge
** A pontoon bridge in the Suez Canal in Ismailia to connect the west and east banks of the canal with two lanes of vehicular traffic and a pedestrian lane.
** Span
Guyana
*
Berbice Bridge
The Berbice Bridge is a pontoon bridge over the Berbice River near New Amsterdam in Guyana. The bridge is tolled and was opened on 23 December 2008.
With the completion of the Berbice Bridge, and the earlier completion of the Coppename Bridge ...
** Completed 2008. Spans .
** Located near
New Amsterdam in
Guyana.
*
Demerara Harbour Bridge
The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a long floating toll bridge. It was commissioned on 2 July 1978. The bridge crosses the Demerara River south of the Guyanese capital Georgetown, from Peter's Hall, Demerara-Mahaica, East Bank Demerara to Scho ...
** Completed 1978. Spans .
** Located immediately south of
Georgetown, Guyana, it is constructed with
steel pontoon units and is the fourth longest floating bridge in the world.
India
*
Howrah Bridge
The Howrah Bridge is a balanced cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River in West Bengal. Commissioned in 1943, the bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, because it replaced a pontoon bridge at the same location linking the cities ...
** Completed 1874.
** Decommissioned 1943
** This bridge, connected
Howrah and
Calcutta
Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, the official name until 2001) is the Capital city, capital of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal, on the eastern ba ...
on opposite banks of
Hooghly River, was built using timber on pontoon and was opened to let river traffic through.
Norway
*
Nordhordland Bridge
The Nordhordland Bridge ( no, Nordhordlandsbrua) is a combined cable-stayed and pontoon bridge which crosses Salhusfjorden between Klauvaneset (in Bergen Municipality) and the island of Flatøy (in Alver Municipality) in Vestland county, Norway. ...
** Completed 1994. Spans (the floating bridge part).
** Located near
Bergen
Bergen (), historically Bjørgvin, is a city and municipality in Vestland county on the west coast of Norway. , its population is roughly 285,900. Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. The municipality covers and is on the peninsula o ...
,
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...
, the Nordhordland Bridge consists of a free-floating bridge and a high level
cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge has one or more ''towers'' (or ''pylons''), from which cables support the bridge deck. A distinctive feature are the cables or stays, which run directly from the tower to the deck, normally forming a fan-like pattern ...
. The free-floating bridge has the longest laterally-unsupported span in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the Salhus Bridge.
*
Architect's web site*
Bergøysund Floating Bridge
** Completed 1992. Spans .
** Located in
Kristiansund
Kristiansund (, ; historically spelled Christianssund and earlier named Fosna) is a municipality on the western coast of Norway in the Nordmøre district of Møre og Romsdal county. The administrative center of the municipality is the town of ...
,
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...
.
Spain
* Puente de Barcas (Boat bridge),Seville
** Completed 1171, Spans 149 meters (488,8 ft).
** Moved 1845 for construct
Puente de Isabel II
** Scrapped 1852
Turkey
*
Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge ( tr, Galata Köprüsü, ) is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. From the end of the 19th century in particular, the bridge has featured in Turkish literature, theater, poetry and novels. The current Gala ...
** Completed 1875. Spans .
** Decommissioned 1992.
** This floating bridge crossed the
Golden Horn
The Golden Horn ( tr, Altın Boynuz or ''Haliç''; grc, Χρυσόκερας, ''Chrysókeras''; la, Sinus Ceratinus) is a major urban waterway and the primary inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. As a natural estuary that connects with t ...
in
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in ...
. After it was damaged by a 1992 fire, it was towed up the Golden Horn to make way for the fifth and current Galata Bridge, a
bascule bridge
A bascule bridge (also referred to as a drawbridge or a lifting bridge) is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. It may be single- o ...
.
United Arab Emirates
*
Floating Bridge, Dubai
Floating Bridge (Arabic: الجسر العائم) is a pontoon bridge (floating bridge) located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The bridge was built between the Al Garhoud and Al Maktoum Bridges, to reduce traffic on the Al Maktoum Bridge. /sup ...
,
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia ( The Middle East). It is located at t ...
** A new floating bridge has been erected over
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek ( ar, خور دبي, Khūr Dubay) has been described as a natural saltwater creek, tidal inlet, and watercourse or waterway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It extends about inwards and forms a natural port that has traditional ...
to ease traffic on over creek crossings in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
** The bridge opened to the public on 16 July 2007; two weeks after applying the
Salik
A sālik is a follower of Sufism, from the verb ''salaka'' which means to travel or follow, related to ''sulūk'' "pathway". ''Sulūk'' here specifically refers to a spiritual path, i.e. the combination of the two "paths" that can be followed ...
road toll to the
Al Garhoud Bridge.
United States
*
Admiral Clarey Bridge
*
Pontoon bridge
A pontoon bridge (or ponton bridge), also known as a floating bridge, uses floats or shallow-draft boats to support a continuous deck for pedestrian and vehicle travel. The buoyancy of the supports limits the maximum load that they can carry.
...
over the
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. It generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's source basin lies in the western United Stat ...
connecting
Pope
The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
and
Yell
A yell is a loud vocalization; see screaming.
Yell may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Yell, Shetland, one of the North Isles of the Shetland archipelago, Scotland
* Yell Sound, Shetland, Scotland
United States
* Yell, Tennessee, an unin ...
counties at
Dardanelle,
Arkansas
Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the O ...
.
**Replacing a private ferry when it opened in 1891, the structure operated as a toll bridge. It was used until January 1929, when a free bridge of concrete and steel replaced it.
**Over the years, it was washed away, in parts or completely, many times.
*
Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge — Evergreen Point
** Completed 1963. Spans .
** Formerly spanned
Lake Washington in
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
State, carrying
State Route 520 from
Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
to
Medina
Medina,, ', "the radiant city"; or , ', (), "the city" officially Al Madinah Al Munawwarah (, , Turkish: Medine-i Münevvere) and also commonly simplified as Madīnah or Madinah (, ), is the second-holiest city in Islam, and the capital of the ...
. A toll bridge until 1979, its common name is the 520 bridge or
Evergreen Point Floating Bridge
The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, also known as the 520 Bridge and officially the Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge, carries Washington State Route 520 across Lake Washington from Seattle to its eastern suburbs. The floating span is the ...
. It was the longest floating bridge in the world until 2016.
** This bridge was removed in Spring, 2017.
*
SR 520 Albert D. Rosellini Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (2016 bridge)
** Completed 2016. Spans .
** World's longest and widest floating bridge. Built to replace the 1963 bridge of the same name.
*
Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge
The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge is a floating bridge in the Seattle metropolitan area of the U.S. state of Washington. It is one of the Interstate 90 floating bridges that carries the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washingto ...
** Original bridge completed in 1940 but sank in 1990 because of weather and mishaps in maintenance.
** Second bridge completed 1993. Spans .
** Spans
Lake Washington in
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
State, carrying
Interstate 90 traffic eastbound from
Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
to
Mercer Island
Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located on an island of the same name in the southern portion of Lake Washington. Mercer Island is in the Seattle metropolitan area, with Seattle to its west and Bellevue to it ...
. A toll bridge until 1946, its common name is the I-90 bridge or
Lake Washington Floating Bridge. It was the first floating bridge longer than a mile, and at the time was the longest floating structure in the world. It is now the second longest floating bridge in the world.
*
Hood Canal Bridge
The Hood Canal Bridge (officially William A. Bugge Bridge) is a floating bridge in the northwest United States, located in western Washington. It carries State Route 104 across Hood Canal of Puget Sound and connects the Olympic and Kitsap P ...
** Completed 1961. Spans .
** Carries
State Route 104 across
Hood Canal
Hood Canal is a fjord forming the western lobe, and one of the four main basins,[Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...]
state. It is the third longest floating bridge in the world.
** This bridge broke apart in the
February 13, 1979 windstorm
The February 13, 1979, windstorm was a natural phenomenon that took place in Pacific Canada and the United States. During the early morning, an intense wave cyclone moved across southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. South of the low cent ...
. It was rebuilt 3 years later.
*
Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge
The Third Lake Washington Bridge, officially the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, is a floating bridge in the Seattle metropolitan area of the U.S. state of Washington. It is one of the Interstate 90 floating bridges, carrying the westbound lan ...
** Completed 1989. Spans .
** Spans
Lake Washington in
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
state, carrying
Interstate 90 traffic westbound from
Mercer Island
Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located on an island of the same name in the southern portion of Lake Washington. Mercer Island is in the Seattle metropolitan area, with Seattle to its west and Bellevue to it ...
to
Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
. It runs parallel to the
Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge
The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge is a floating bridge in the Seattle metropolitan area of the U.S. state of Washington. It is one of the Interstate 90 floating bridges that carries the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washingto ...
, which carries eastbound Interstate 90 Traffic, and is also commonly referred to as the I-90 bridge or Lake Washington Floating Bridge. It is the fifth longest floating bridge in the world.
*
Eastbank Esplanade
The Eastbank Esplanade (officially Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade) is a pedestrian and bicycle path along the east shore of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, United States. Running through the Kerns, Buckman, and Hosford-Abernethy neighb ...
** Completed 2001. Spans .
** Located in
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the list of cities in Oregon, largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, Columbia rivers, Portland is ...
, it is the longest floating pedestrian bridge in the United States.
*
Sunset Lake Floating Bridge
** Located in
Brookfield, Vermont
Brookfield is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. It was created by Vermont charter on August 5, 1781. The population was 1,244 at the 2020 census. Brookfield is best known for its floating bridge which spans Sunset Lake buoyed b ...
** Built on logs in 1820, then upon tarred barrels in 1884, rebuilt using plastic barrels filled with styrofoam in 1978, carries light automobile traffic. This bridge was closed to vehicle traffic spring of 2008.
References
{{reflist
*
*
Bridges in China
Bridges in India
Bridges in Guyana
Bridges in Dubai
Bridges in Norway