Storseisundet Bridge: a different shape from whichever angle you view it
Located in the midwest part of the Norwegian coastline, the Storseisundet Bridge is a cantilever bridge part of the Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Road). It’s built in such a way that from a certain angle, as you approach, it looks as it is more diving board than bridge. The approach looks scary as the bridge seems to end abruptly and as if any attempt to proceed would result into the vehicle flying out and dropping into the waters below.
It’s the longest of the eight bridges that make up the Atlantic Road. It’s is 260 metres (850 ft) long with a maximum clearance to the sea of 23 metres (75 ft). It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. Known locally as the drunk bridge, it’s perfectly safe. However, once you start to cross it you will realize that it seems to disappear in front of you as you go. The bridge was described as the ‘Road to nowhere’ by the Daily Mail in 2011.
The bridge is paved and was opened on 7 July 1989. It’s known for its sharp bends and rollercoaster-esque driving experience. It seems to have a different shape from whichever angle you view it which is, perhaps, what makes it so special. Drivers cannot see the abnormal curve when on the road. In fact, they cannot see the road on the other side of the curve at all. The bridge appears to disappear, and it looks like any car that attempts to cross it will simply fall into the water. This is, obviously, an optical illusion.