Bridge... or rollercoaster? Japan's terrifying road is enough to give the most confident driver nightmares

It is a hill start to give even the most confident learner driver nightmares.

The Eshima Ohashi bridge in Japan – the third largest of its kind in the world – rises sharply so ships can pass underneath. The concrete road bridge spans a mile across Lake Nakaumi, linking the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato.

(The Eshima Ohashi bridge in Japan – the third largest of its kind in the world – rises sharply so ships can pass underneath)

(The concrete road bridge, pictured, spans a mile across Lake Nakaumi, linking the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato)

(The concrete road bridge, pictured, spans a mile across Lake Nakaumi, linking the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato)

The two-lane concrete road bridge stretches 1.7km or just over 1 mile long and has a width of 11.4 metres making it the largest rigid frame bridge in Japan and the third largest in the world. It's incredible slope, which has a gradient of 6.1 per cent on the Shimane Prefecture side and 5.1 per cent on the Tottori Prefecture side gives it a rollercoaster-like appearance.

The unusual steep bridge was recently featured in a commercial for Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Tanto minivan to test the vehicle's durability.

THE TOP FIVE MOST TERRIFYING BRIDGES IN THE WORLD

At an incredible 460m (1509ft), it is the highest bridge in the world. Suspended across the Sidhue River in the Badong County of the Hubei Province, in stretches more than 1,300m to connect Shanghai and Chendo. The bridge makes up part of a dangerous mountain path known as highway Huyu G50.

2. Millau Viaduct - France

When it was opened in 2004, this was the world’s tallest vehicular bridge and it is still taller than the Eiffel Tower at its highest point. The cable-stayed bridge, which spans across the Tarn River Valley in southern France, remains in the world's top twenty highest at 270m above the valley floor.

3. Monkey Bridges – Vietnam

Made of one single bamboo log for your feet, and another as a rather unsteady handrail, this bridge us named from the stooped 'monkey-like' posture people must adapt when crossing to try and avoid falling into the river below.

4. Royal Gorge Bridge - Colorado, US

America’s highest suspension bridge can look down nearly 90 stories at the Arkansas River in the Royal Gorge below. At 295m (969 ft tall) and 384m (1,260ft) long, it was first built in 1929, but it did not get stabilizing wind cables until 1982 meaning it would have swung dangerously in a high gust.

5. Trift Suspension Bridge -Switzerland

Suspended across the Alps, this bridge has some of the most stunning views in the world.

Built at 100m ( 328ft) high and 170m (558ft) long, Trift was built in 2004 and became one of the mountain range's longest and highest pedestrian suspension bridges.

It was supposed to connect hikers to a hut made inaccessible by a retreating glacier but it was known to swing wildly when windy and was only allowed to be crossed in summer months in clear weather.

Higher handrails and stabilizing cables were installed in 2009 but the bridge is still known to move in bad weather.

..... Are You Brave enough To Cross The Eshima Ohashi Bridge?

The Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan looks like a rollercoaster for cars.

This concrete structure is an extremely steep bridge in Japan. It connects the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato in the western part of Japan. The road is paved and well constructed, and spans a mile across Lake Nakaumi.

Why Is The Bridge So Steep?

Architects carefully designed this steep bridge in Japan so ships could pass under it with ease. The ridiculously terrifying slope freaks out even professional drivers. It literally looks like a rollercoaster.

There are a few nicknames for the bridge, including The Rollercoaster Bridge, and Bridge To The Sky. Looking straight on to the bridge is both intimidating and awe-inspiring. It looks impossibly steep for cars.

There is a gradient of 5.1% on the Tottori Prefecture side, and 6.1% on the Shimane Prefecture side. The bridge is 1.7 km long, and 11.3 metres wide. It measures in at 44.7 metres tall with its longest span of 250 metres.

Both Japan and the internet claim that this is the steepest bridge in the world. It’s the third-largest bridge of its type in the world, and Japan’s largest rigid frame bridge.

Is The Roller Coaster Bridge Really As Terrifying And Dangerous As It Appears?

Funny thing is, the bridge isn’t as steep as it looks. It’s a bit of an optical illusion. When photos are taken from a straight-on angle, it appears much more ridiculous than it actually is.

Once you get on to the bridge, it doesn’t look quite so intimidating.

How To Visit The Eshima Ohashi Bridge

If you’d like to check out the Eshima Ohashi Bridge, you an do so by train and a walk, or by bicycle. It’s about a 30-minute walk from Sakaiminato Station.

Ref: Bridge... or rollercoaster? Japan's terrifying road is enough to give the most confident driver nightmares (dailymail, indie88)