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Friday, December 12, 2014

Shimanami Cycling Route (Project example)

project description here

Background Information
The Shimanami Cycling Route mostly follows the Nishiseto Expressway from Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture to Imabari in Ehime. The route is about 70 kilometers in total and includes 6 bridges and bike routes along 6 islands. Before passengers and drivers could only access the island by ferries, so the project helped locals and also attracted tourists.

Construction, design, engineering 

The route includes 6 major bridges. The Tatara Bridge is one impressive example (see photo below, left with my family). It is a cable-stayed bridge, so a large anchorage was needed. The steel towers, shaped liked the letter "Y" inverted, are each 220 meters. The center span is nearly 900 meters. Construction took 6 years and was free of accidents. Other bridges are suspension bridges (right).











While the bridges are along the expressway and separated from traffic, around the islands the route is just a blue marked lines along the local roads (below right - with friends). Linking the bridges and local roads are impressive curved ramps (below left). They are supported by steel and concrete pillars. The ramps and bridges offer spectacular views of the Seto Sea and island. The whole line opened in 1999.




Current and Future Use
Thousands of cyclists from around Japan and even the world, come to cycle the route. Tourism is increasing in the two cities because of the popularity with cyclists. A major bicycle-themed hotel, with shops, and fine restaurants was opened in a former port-side dock building in Onomichi to further capitalize on the route's popularity. With international press and such tourist infrastructure growing, more and more tourists are expected. 


Sources
- CNN
- Onomichi City www.city.onomichi.hiroshima.jp
- Wikipedia (English)

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