Bhumibol Bridge

About

The Bhumibol Bridge (RTGS: Saphan Phumiphon), also known as the Industrial Ring Road Bridge (RTGS: Saphan Wongwaen Utsahakam) is a road bridge in southern Bangkok, Thailand. It is part of the 13 km (8.1 mi) long Industrial Ring Road connecting southern Bangkok with Samut Prakan province. The bridge crosses the Chao Phraya River twice, with two striking cable-stayed spans of lengths of 702 m (2, 303 ft) and 582 m (1, 909 ft) supported by two diamond-shaped pylons 173 m (568 ft) and 164 m (538 ft) high. Where the two spans meet, another road rises to join them at a free-flowing interchange suspended 50 m (160 ft) above the ground. The bridge opened for traffic on 20 September 2006, before the official opening date of 5 December 2006. It is part of the Bangkok Industrial Ring Road, a royal scheme initiated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej that aimed to solve traffic problems within Bangkok and surrounding areas, especially the industrial area around Khlong Toei Port, southern Bangkok, and Samut Prakan province. According to tradition, all bridges over the Chao Phraya in Bangkok are named after a member of the royal family. In October 2009, it was announced that both bridges would be named after King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with the northern bridge officially named "Bhumibol 1 Bridge" and the southern bridge "Bhumibol 2 Bridge". The unofficia

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