Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo) Explained

Bridge Name:Rainbow Bridge
Native Name Lang:Japanese
Crosses:Tokyo Bay
Locale:Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Spans:3
Mainspan:570m (1,870feet)
Length:798m (2,618feet)
Width:49m (161feet)
Height:126m (413feet) (towers), 52m (171feet) (roadway)
Complete:1993
Open:August 26, 1993

The is a suspension bridge crossing northern Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront development in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.

It is named Tōkyō Kō Renrakukyō (東京港連絡橋) as the official name in Japanese.

It was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries,[1] [2] with construction starting in 1987 and completed in 1993.[3] The bridge is 7980NaN0 long with a main span of 5800NaN0.[4] Officially called the "Shuto Expressway No. 11 Daiba Route - Port of Tokyo Connector Bridge",[5] the name "Rainbow Bridge" was decided by the public.

The towers supporting the bridge are white in color, designed to harmonize with the skyline of central Tokyo seen from Odaiba. There are lamps placed on the wires supporting the bridge, which are illuminated into three different colors, red, white and green every night using solar energy obtained during the day.

The bridge can be accessed by foot from Tamachi Station (JR East) or Shibaura-futō Station (Yurikamome) on the mainland side.

Usage

The Rainbow Bridge carries three transportation lines on two decks. The upper deck carries the Shuto Expressway's Daiba Route, while the lower deck carries the Yurikamome rapid transit system in the centre, walkways on the outer side, and Tokyo Prefectural Route 482 in-between. Light motorcycles under 50cc are not permitted on either deck or the walkway of the bridge. Motorcycle pillion passengers are also banned.

Walkway

The bridge has two separate walkways on the north and south sides of the lower deck; the north side offers views of the inner Tokyo harbour and Tokyo Tower, while the south side offers views of Tokyo Bay and occasionally Mount Fuji. The walkways may only be used during certain hours (9 am to 9 pm in the summer; 10 am to 6 pm in the winter, access to the walkways close 30 minutes before closing time.)[6] Bicycles are permitted on the condition that they are pushed (as opposed to riding them).

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.architravel.com/architravel/architects/kawasaki-heavy-industries/ ArchiTravel - Kawasaki Heavy Industries
  2. http://structurae.net/structures/rainbow-bridge-1993 Structurae - Rainbow Bridge
  3. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2002/10/06/announcements/rainbow-bridge-record-broken/ Rainbow Bridge record broken October 6, 2002
  4. Web site: 首都高速道路株式会社|首都高の名所|レインボーブリッジ. 2009-12-26.
  5. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/bridges/rainbowbridge.html Japan National Tourist Organization - Rainbow Bridge
  6. http://www.kouwan.metro.tokyo.jp/jigyo/faq/rinkou/rainbowbridge/ Tokyo Bureau Of Port and Harbour - Rainbow Bridge