Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge rotates traffic through 720 degrees

The Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge, in Japan, is an example of how to build a bridge from one mountainside to another when the sides of the mountain are so steep that it is not possible to build a road at the same elevation on both sides. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

This double spiral brings cars up or down a full 147 feet (45 meters) while being seemingly suspended in a valley between two mountainsides. It is an amazing bit of architecture. Coming upon this bridge in the middle of this mountain road is quite an experience. The bridge spiraling around like a serpent, was finished in 1982 and has become a popular landmark on Highway 414 heading south from Tokyo towards the hot spring resorts of the Izu peninsula.

This astounding example of engineering and design provides stunning panoramic views, is very curvy and fun for a leisurely ride, so it pays to take it slow. The design was the only way for traffic to get down the mountainside into the valley, too steep for any other usual road-building solutions. The double-spiral structure demands careful driving – the speed limit on the bridge is only 30 km/h, which also helps to better enjoy. Not for the faint hearted as it is a cork screw road.

Some other stats:

- 1.1 km long

- 80 meters in diameter

- speed limit: 30 km/h

Pic: 32 takeyann