The United States of America has a total area of more than 3.8 million square miles. Out of this, 269,717 square miles comprise water areas such as rivers, lakes, and territorial waters along the coast.
Since various water bodies cover half of the country, it was challenging for the Americans to travel from one state to another. This led to the development of strong bridges that connected different parts of the US, enabling easier access and communication between regions.
In our article, we've compiled a list of the top 5 longest bridges in the US that have played a crucial role in connecting various parts of the country. These bridges have not only improved transportation but also aided in the economic development of the regions they connect.
List of the Longest Bridges in the United States
Here is the list of the top 5 longest bridges in the US, which are considered some of the most impressive engineering feats in the country.
These bridges span across bodies of water and connect different regions, showcasing the importance of infrastructure in connecting communities. The list includes:
Rank | Bridge Name | Length (miles) | Location | Year Built |
1 | Lake Pontchartrain Causeway | 23.83 | Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana | 1956 |
2 | Manchac Swamp Bridge | 23 | Manchac Swamp, Louisiana | 1979 |
3 | Atchafalaya Basin Bridge (Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge) | 18.2 | Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana | 1973 |
4 | Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel | 17.6 | Chesapeake Bay, Virginia | 1964 |
5 | I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge | 11 | Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana | 1972 |
6 | Louisiana Highway 1 Bridge | 8.26 | Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana | 2009 |
7 | Jubilee Parkway | 7.5 | Mobile Bay, Alabama | 1978 |
8 | San Mateo-Hayward Bridge | 7.3 | San Francisco Bay, California | 1967 |
9 | Seven Mile Bridge | 6.7 | Florida Keys, Florida | 1982 |
10 | General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge | 6.08 | Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama | 19 |
Source: WorldAtlas
1. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Source: Volkert
- Length: 24 miles
- Located at: Louisian
- Built-in: 1956
- Made over: Lake Pontchartrain
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, built in 1956 by the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission, is the longest bridge in the United States, measuring 24 miles long. It connects Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans, to Mandeville on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
The lake has earned its name in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. The Causeway provides a vital transportation link for residents and visitors travelling between the two regions.
2. Manchac Swamp Bridge
Source: Flickr
- Length: 23 miles
- Located at: Louisiana
- Built-in: 1979
- Made over: Manchac Swamp
The Manchac Swamp Bridge is the second-longest bridge in the US and spans over the Manchac Swamp in Louisiana. It is a twin concrete trestle bridge carrying the I-55 road over the swamp, providing a vital transportation link between the cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
The Manchac Swamp Bridge offers stunning views of the surrounding wetlands and is a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife observation. It is also one of the longest toll-free bridges and, finally, one of the longest freeway bridges.
3. Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
Source: 99.9 KTDY
- Length: 18.2 miles
- Located at: Louisiana
- Built-in: 1973
- Made over: Atchafalaya Basin
The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, is the third-longest in the United States, spanning over 18 miles. It carries Interstate 10 across the Atchafalaya Basin, providing a vital transportation link between Lafayette and Baton Rouge.
It is a pair of parallel bridges that run adjacent to each other and merge when crossing the Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel and the Atchafalaya River. Additionally, the bridge is kind of tricky, and accidents occur frequently near the two river crossings as both are very narrow and lack shoulders.
4. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Source: Chesapeake Bay Magazine
- Length: 17.6 miles
- Located at: Virginia
- Built-in: 1964
- Made over: Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is the fourth-longest bridge in the US, with a total length of 17.6 miles. It connects Virginia's Eastern Shore with the mainland. The bridge tunnel is considered an engineering marvel due to its unique design and construction.
The crossing is constructed beneath the main shipping channels in tunnels at two points, each tunnel being more than a mile long. Four artificial islands constructed in water, averaging 40 feet deep, serve as entryways through which the roadway enters the tunnels.
5. I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge
Source: Healthy Gulf
- Length: 11 miles
- Located at: Louisiana
- Built-in: 1972
- Made over: Bonnet Carré Spillway, Lake Pontchartrain and LaBranche Wetlands
The I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge is the fifth longest bridge in Louisiana, spanning over 4.2 miles across Lake Pontchartrain. It was completed in 1972 and serves as a crucial transportation link between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, handling over 50,000 vehicles daily.
Made on top of the Bonnet Carré Spillway, a flood control structure that diverts excess water from the Mississippi River during periods of high water. This floodway is located in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, and plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding areas from flooding.
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Fun Facts About the Longest Bridges in the United States
- The undisputed champion is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, stretching a whopping 23.87 miles (38.4 km) across the vast Lake Pontchartrain. That's longer than driving through Manhattan!
- Spotting an alligator while driving on these long bridges isn't unheard of, especially on the Manchac Swamp Bridge. Construction crews even had to build special measures to protect these prehistoric reptiles during construction.
- The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway isn't just a bridge. It's also a popular running path for marathons and foot races. Additionally, the original plan for the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was a tunnel! However, due to soft soil conditions, a bridge was deemed the more feasible option.
- The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has a less official but well-known name, "The Bridge of Sighs," likely due to several suicides that occurred there in the past.
- Long bridges like the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, stretching across the Straits of Mackinac, have to be built to endure strong winds. It even has a special de-icing system to prevent ice buildup in the winter.
- Not all long bridges are free. Crossing some, like the Golden Gate Bridge in California, requires a toll fee.
- The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, though not the longest anymore, is a historic landmark. It was the first suspension bridge to use steel wire ropes for its main cables.
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