Öland Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Öland Bridge |
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| Carries | 4 lanes of roadway for motor vehicles |
| Crosses | Kalmar Strait |
| Locale | Kalmar |
| Official name | Ölandsbron |
| Maintained by | Swedish Transport Administration |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 6,072 m (19,921 ft) |
| Width | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Longest span | 130 m (430 ft) |
| Clearance below | 36 m (118 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 30 September 1972 |
The Öland Bridge (called Ölandsbron in Swedish) is a very important road bridge in Sweden. It was finished in 1972. This long bridge connects the mainland of Sweden near Kalmar with the large island of Öland in the Baltic Sea. Before the bridge, people used ferryboats to travel to and from Öland.
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About the Öland Bridge
The Öland Bridge is one of Sweden's most famous bridges. It helps people travel easily between the mainland and Öland. The island of Öland is a popular place for holidays. It has beautiful nature and historical sites.
Why the Bridge Was Built
Before the Öland Bridge, getting to the island was slow. Cars and people had to wait for ferryboats. This made it hard for people to visit or live on Öland. Building a bridge made travel much faster and easier. It helped Öland grow and become more connected to the rest of Sweden.
Building a Big Bridge
The Öland Bridge was a huge project for its time. It took several years to build this long structure. Workers used a lot of concrete and steel. They had to make sure the bridge was strong enough. It needed to handle many cars every day. The bridge also had to be tall enough for ships to pass underneath.
Bridge Features and Size
The Öland Bridge is about 6,072 meters (nearly 6.1 kilometers) long. That's like walking for over an hour! It has four lanes for cars, two in each direction. The bridge is about 13 meters wide. This allows plenty of space for vehicles. The highest part of the bridge is 36 meters above the water. This height lets large ships sail safely below it. The longest single span of the bridge is 130 meters. This is the distance between two main supports.
Opening Day in 1972
The Öland Bridge officially opened on September 30, 1972. It was a big day for Sweden and especially for the people of Öland. The opening meant a new era for the island. Travel became much simpler. The bridge quickly became a symbol of connection and progress.
Images for kids
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The Öland Bridge as seen from the Öland side
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See also
- In Spanish: Puente de Öland para niños
