Steep Bridge In Japan Is Almost Vertical

Spanning Lake Nakaumi between Matsue and Sakaiminato in Japan, the Eshima Ohashi bridge has a gradient of 6.1 percent on one side and 5.1 on the other. The third largest rigid-frame bridge in the world, this intimidating structure is the nightmare of anyone with a bridge phobia, especially since it runs a full mile over the water.

When you see it from the side, it doesn't look quite as dramatic, but the angle leading up to the apex is no joke. Its extraordinary height enables even the tallest of ships to pass under it without the need for a drawbridge, allowing traffic to continue between the two cities without interruption.