Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo)

The Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing northern Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront development in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Its official name is the Tokyo Port Bridge. The English name "Rainbow Bridge" was chosen by public vote. The bridge carries road, rail and pedestrian traffic on two decks and is a prominent element of the Odaiba waterfront skyline.

Design and construction

The bridge was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Construction began in 1987 and was completed in 1993.
The bridge is a double-decker bridge with an overall length of and a main span of. The towers supporting the bridge are painted white to harmonize with the skyline of central Tokyo as seen from Odaiba. Lamps placed on the supporting cables are illuminated in three different colors—red, white and green—each night using solar energy collected during the day.

Usage

The Rainbow Bridge carries three transportation lines on two decks.

Upper deck

The upper deck carries the Shuto Expressway's Daiba Route.

Lower deck

The lower deck carries the Yurikamome rapid transit line in the centre, Tokyo Prefectural Route 482 between the walkways and the road lanes, and pedestrian walkways on the outer sides.

Vehicles

Light motorcycles under 50 cc are not permitted on either deck or on the walkways. Motorcycle pillion passengers are also banned.

Walkways

There are two separate pedestrian walkways on the north and south sides of the lower deck. The north walkway offers views of the inner Tokyo harbour and Tokyo Tower; the south walkway offers views of Tokyo Bay and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Access hours are seasonal: 09:00–21:00 in summer and 10:00–18:00 in winter; access to the walkways closes 30 minutes before closing time. Bicycles are permitted only when pushed because of the walkways' narrow width. The bridge can be reached on foot from Tamachi Station or Shibaura-futō Station on the mainland side.