Based on these considerations, as well as economic and technical considerations, the suspension bridge format was selected. Construction of the bridge began in January 1987, and the Metropolitan Expressway No. 11 Daiba Line opened to traffic on August 26, 1993, followed by the Yurikamome Line in November 1995.
The Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo Port Liaison Bridge) is a 798-m-long suspension bridge connecting central Tokyo and the bay area. The bridge required a space 50 m high and 500 m wide for ships using the Port of Tokyo for navigation, and was also limited to 155 m in terms of height due to the presence of Haneda Airport. In addition, the need to curve the roadway at both ends made it impossible to secure sufficient length from the main tower to the anchorage (the block used to secure the main cable of the suspension bridge), which was another limitation.
The application period was short (one week), but the total number of applicants reached 1,166 pairs, or 1,753 people, compared to the maximum number of 24.
Rainbow Bridge
Bridge length: 798m
Center span: 570m
Side radius: 114 m (distance from main tower to anchorage)
Main tower height: 126m
The opening of the bridge has greatly improved traffic congestion on the surrounding Metropolitan Expressways. Six months later, data shows a dramatic decrease of approximately 35-40% on the Tokyo Central Loop Route (C1) and 55% on the No. 9 Fukagawa Route, and currently approximately 58,000 vehicles per day (FY2015) are using the bridge.
The tour was divided into 12 groups for the morning and afternoon tours, and members of the press were assigned to the morning group to cover the event. 73 times the number of platinum tickets were awarded to the participants, who first visited the exhibition room on the Shibaura side anchorage for a brief explanation and a tour of models and other exhibits. After that, they moved to the main tower on the Shibaura side in Shibaura South Pier Park. Due to the limited space on the main tower, the participants were divided into groups of two or three, and then further divided into groups to climb the left and right main towers one after the other.
Although the participants were a bit intimidated by the formal atmosphere with helmets and safety belts, they all had smiles on their faces when they came down. A man in his 40s who came from Tokyo said, “I was glad the weather was fine, because I was one of the 73 times more likely to win the prize. But once I got to the top, I had a great view of Tokyo Bay, and it was an experience I don’t get to have very often, so it was a good memory.
The participants then took a commemorative photo with the Rainbow Bridge in the background, received a mug as a souvenir, and headed home.
After that, members of the press climbed to the top of the tower in turn. After entering the normally inaccessible interior of the main tower via a staircase at the attachment point and swinging on a working elevator for approximately two and a half minutes, they would reach their destination at the top of the main tower after passing through a narrow passageway and staircase.
Unfortunately, photography was not allowed during this period, so I cannot introduce it here, but the elevator, with its hand-closed doors that can hold up to four people, and the passageway with a hatch, give the impression of a space used for work. The elevator was a steamy bath in mid-summer, which reminded me of the hardships faced by those working in the elevator.
The thought of being at 126 meters and being exposed to the elements may seem intimidating, but the view was spectacular and not at all like the upper levels of a skyscraper.
This is not the first time that a tour up the main tower has been offered, and there is no possibility that it will be offered again in the future in the form of an event or some other form. If such a tour is offered next time, I highly recommend signing up.
© Source travel watch
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