The United States is home to some of the longest and most impressive bridges in the world. Spanning miles of river and lake crossings, bridges in the US have become iconic landmarks and Do You Know longest bridge in the United States, points of pride for their respective cities and states. Of all the bridges in the US, the longest bridge is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana.
Built in 1956, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is a two-lane bridge that connects Metairie, Louisiana to Mandeville, Louisiana. Spanning 23.83 miles, the bridge was the longest bridge in the world at the time of its completion and remains the longest bridge in the United States to this day. The bridge is a marvel of engineering, with an average depth of 24 feet and a maximum depth of 25 feet. The bridge is also noteworthy for its innovative design, which was the first of its kind, using concrete slabs and a series of steel beams to support the roadway.
Top 10 longest bridge in the United States?
The United States is home to some of the longest bridges in the world. Spanning miles of water and land, these bridges are monumental feats of engineering. Here are the top 10 longest bridge in the United States.
1. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana:
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, located in Louisiana, is the longest continuous bridge over water in the United States. Spanning 24 miles (38.6 km) across Lake Pontchartrain, the causeway is composed of two parallel bridges. The southbound bridge was completed in 1956 and the northbound bridge was completed in 1969.
The causeway is a marvel of modern engineering, withstanding hurricanes and tropical storms for over 60 years. It is the longest bridge in the world to use concrete pilings for support, and its two spans are held up by 9,500 concrete pilings. The causeway is also the longest bridge over water in the world, and it is the only bridge in the United States to have its own radio station.
2. Manchac Swamp Bridge, Louisiana:
Manchac Swamp Bridge is a bridge located in Louisiana, United States, that carries Interstate 55 and U.S. Highway 51 over the Manchac Swamp. It is the second-longest bridge in the United States, after the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The bridge is 23.83 miles long and is constructed from concrete and steel.
The bridge was built to avoid the frequent flooding of the swamp. The bridge is a two-level causeway, with the lower level carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction and the upper level carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction. The bridge is raised to allow ships to pass underneath it.
3. Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, Louisiana:
The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is a bridge in south-central Louisiana that spans the Atchafalaya Basin, a large swamp and wetland area. The bridge is the longest bridge in Louisiana, and is one of the most iconic landmarks of the state. It is also the only bridge that connects the two sides of the Atchafalaya Basin, allowing visitors to fully explore the area.
The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge was built in the late 1960s, and opened in 1969. It is 8.6 miles long, and is one of the longest bridge in the United States. The bridge is composed of two parts, a low-level bridge and a high-level bridge. The low-level bridge is the main bridge, and is used for vehicular traffic. The high-level bridge is mainly used for pedestrians and cyclists.
4. Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, Virginia:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel is a 17.6-mile long bridge-tunnel crossing the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was the first bridge-tunnel of its kind to be built and is one of the oldest and longest bridge tunnels in the world.
The bridge tunnel was opened in 1964, after four years of construction, and was designed by architect Figg & Muller Engineers. The bridge tunnel is composed of two two-lane tunnels, four man-made islands, and two high-level suspension bridges that span a total of 17.6 miles.
5. Seven Mile Bridge, Florida:
Seven Mile Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the Florida Keys. This bridge is a part of the Overseas Highway, a 113-mile stretch of highway that connects Key West to mainland Florida. The bridge spans over seven miles of open water and is the longest bridge in the Keys.
The bridge was originally built in 1982 and was the first bridge to connect the Keys to the mainland. The design of the bridge was made to withstand the strong winds, tides, and currents of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also designed to withstand the pressure of large ships that pass through the area.
6. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York:
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City. It is the longest suspension bridge in the United States and the 13th longest in the world. The bridge is named after the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano who first explored the area in 1524.
This iconic bridge is a major route for traffic in New York City, providing a connection between the two boroughs. It was opened in 1964 and has since become an iconic symbol of the city. The bridge has a main span of 4,260 feet and a total length of 13,700 feet. It stands 693 feet above the Narrows, the body of water it traverses.
7. Mackinac Bridge, Michigan:
The Mackinac Bridge, located in Michigan, is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges spanning nearly five miles. It connects the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, providing a vital transportation link between the two. The bridge carries vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic and is a major tourist attraction with stunning views of the surrounding areas.
The bridge was opened in 1957 after more than three years of construction. It was an impressive engineering feat, as it was the first large-scale suspension bridge to be constructed in the Midwest. The main span of the bridge reaches 8,614 feet, making it the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the western hemisphere. The towers reach a height of 552 feet, making them the tallest in the world at the time of completion.
8. Golden Gate Bridge, California:
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge located in San Francisco, California. Spanning the Golden Gate strait, the bridge connects San Francisco on the northern side to Marin County on the southern side. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and is considered one of the most beautiful bridges.
The bridge was designed by engineer Joseph Strauss in 1933 and opened in 1937. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world and is still the second longest bridge in the United States. The bridge is 4,200 feet long and includes two towers that rise 746 feet above the water.
9. George Washington Bridge, New York:
The George Washington Bridge is an iconic feature of the New York City skyline, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. It was the world’s longest suspension bridge when it opened in 1931 and still remains the busiest in the United States today. Spanning the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the river.
The bridge is named after the first President of the United States, George Washington, who had a vision of a bridge from Manhattan to New Jersey. The bridge was designed by Swiss-American civil engineer Othmar Ammann and was the first bridge linking the two boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. The bridge was also the first major project of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates and maintains the bridge today.
10. San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, California:
The San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, also known as the San Mateo Bridge, is a bridge that spans San Francisco Bay in California, connecting the cities of Hayward and Foster City in San Mateo County. The bridge carries an average of 91,000 vehicles a day and is the longest bridge in the Bay Area and the third longest in California. The bridge is a two-level structure that is made up of a lower deck carrying five lanes of eastbound traffic and an upper deck carrying four lanes of westbound traffic. The bridge is supported by two sets of piers; the eastern set is in the shallow waters of San Francisco Bay, and the western set is on land in Hayward.
The bridge has a width of 87 feet and a clearance of 135 feet above the water. The bridge was originally built in 1929 but underwent renovation and expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The renovation included the addition of a third westbound lane, and the lowering of the bridge to provide a better view of the bay. In addition, the bridge was widened by 14 feet to accommodate the additional lanes.
These 10 bridges are some of the longest bridges in the United States. Spanning miles of land and water, they are some of the most impressive feats of engineering in the world.
Where is the longest bridge in the US 24 miles long?
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel in Virginia is the longest bridge in the United States, stretching 24 miles across the Chesapeake Bay. The bridge tunnel is also the world’s largest bridge tunnel complex, consisting of two 1.5-mile-long bridges, two 1.5-mile-long tunnels, and four man-made islands.
Opened in 1964, the bridge tunnel is a vital link for travelers and commerce between Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It is also the only direct route between Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula. The bridge–tunnel’s design is an engineering marvel that has been recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has a toll system that charges vehicles based on vehicle size and the number of axles. The bridge tunnel also has a high-speed ferry that shuttles between the Eastern Shore and the Virginia Beach side of the bridge tunnel complex. The ferry operates during peak travel times and allows drivers to bypass the toll, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for travelers.
What is the longest single span bridge in the US?
The longest single span bridge in the United States is the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. Spanning 3,030 feet across the New River Gorge, the bridge is 876 feet above the river and is the world’s second-highest bridge. It is part of the U.S. Route 19 freeway and was completed in 1977.
The bridge is constructed of steel and is considered a marvel of modern engineering. It is built to withstand winds up to 90 mph and the load of up to 80,000 vehicles daily. The bridge has become an icon of the state and is a popular tourist spot for both locals and visitors alike.
Every year there is a bridge day celebration held at the New River Gorge Bridge. During this event, the bridge is closed to traffic and people are allowed to bungee jump, rappel, and slide down the bridge’s cables. This tradition has been going on for over 40 years and is the largest extreme sports event in the world.
FAQ
What bridge in the US goes underwater?
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, located in Virginia, is the only bridge in the United States that goes underwater. It is 17.6 miles long and connects the Eastern Shore of Virginia to Virginia Beach and Norfolk. The bridge-tunnel consists of two 1.5-mile-long tunnels, two man-made islands, four high-level bridges, and four miles of causeway. The tunnels are more than 100 feet below sea level and the bridges are more than 200 feet above the water.
What is the deadliest bridge failure in the United States?
The deadliest bridge failure in the United States occurred on May 23, 1940 in the city of Tacoma, Washington. On that fateful day, the nearly 50-year-old Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed due to high winds, resulting in the death of one driver, who was the only casualty of the disaster. The bridge had been open for only four months before the collapse, and its failure was due to an aerodynamic phenomenon known as aeroelastic flutter, which causes a bridge deck to vibrate in the wind. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse remains one of the largest structural failures in U.S. history, and it has served as a reminder for engineers and bridge designers to pay close attention to the aerodynamics of bridges and other structures.
Has a bridge ever collapsed in the US?
Yes, a bridge has collapsed in the United States. On August 1, 2007, the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota collapsed during rush hour traffic, killing 13 people and injuring 145. The collapse was determined to be caused by a design flaw and poor maintenance. The bridge was reconstructed and reopened in 2008. In 2019, the Miami-Dade County, Florida, Department of Transportation closed the Tamiami Bridge due to structural instability caused by corrosion and wear. The bridge was reopened in 2020 after months of repairs.
