Kesennuma Ōshima Ōhashi ( Tsurukame Ōhashi ) Bridge

The Kesennuma Oshima Bridge was started in 2011 as a symbol of recovery after the residents of the Oshima area were isolated for a long time during the Great East Japan Earthquake. It was completed in the spring of 2019 as a bridge connecting Honshu and Kesennuma Oshima. This bridge, nicknamed Tsurukame Ohashi, is a large arch bridge that is rare in Japan.

2023/4 (correction of typo: 2023/8) After the earthquake, construction started in November 2014, and in November 2018, the Kesennuma Oshima Ohashi Bridge (commonly known as Tsurukame Ohashi Bridge) opened to traffic between Kesennuma mainland and Naiwa Oshima Island. Until now, Kesennuma Bay Ace Port ~⛴️ Oshima could only be reached in 30 minutes by ferry, but now it can be reached in an instant🌟 This bridge was also broadcast on "Welcome back Monet". I wasn't in Kesennuma when it was installed, but when I saw it on NHK "Professional", various thoughts crossed my mind😢 It is a 356m long steel arched bridge (central span length: 297m, steel weight: 2700t). The central span part (the semi-cylindrical part) was brought to Kesennuma Port Asahi Wharf with parts and assembled, and the weight of about 2,700 tons was lifted by the FC ship "Fukada Salvage Construction" with a load of 3,000 tons. The bridge, which actually had only a margin of 40 mm on one side, planned and created a drawing, manufactured it considering the temperature, transported it to here, assembled it, lifted it up and transported it, and finally bolted it. I am very grateful to the many people involved in these processes.

I believe that this bridge is the fulfillment of a long-standing wish for the people of Oshima. The length of the bridge is 297m, and a car can cross it in about 20 seconds. I have traveled to the island by ferry before, so I was very impressed by how easy it was to get to the island. There is an observation deck where you can enjoy a beautiful view ♪

A beautiful bridge that connects to Oshima There is also a platform on the island side where you can view the scenery. There are large parking lots and restrooms on both the mainland and island sides, which can also be used as a resting place. Although the scenery on the west side looked beautiful, I was disappointed that there was only a sidewalk on the east side so I couldn't enjoy it.