Daiichi Shirakawa Railway Bridge
Daiichi Shirakawa Railway Bridge
第一白川橋梁は
Tateno, Kumamoto, Japan
197 feet high / 60 meters high
300 foot span / 91.44 meter span
1928
The famous Daiichi Shirakawa Railway Bridge became Japan's highest span at 60 meters when it opened in 1928. The 546 foot / 166 meter long structure is part of the Takamori Line of the Minami-Aso Railway in Kumamoto Prefecture. In 2016 the Kumamoto Earthquake caused extensive damage to the railway arch including the bending and deformation of many of the steel members as well as foundation sliding on the east side. Major repairs should restore the bridge back to its former self by the year 2022.
Also damaged was the Aso Bridge, a 206 meter long truss-arch that used to cross over the Kurokawa River before a landslide destroyed it during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. The large slide also destroyed a section of route 57 as well as the west side approach spans of the Aso Choyo Bridge.
In 2020 an entirely new Aso Bridge was completed 600 meters south of the old crossing with a main beam span of 165 meters on piers as tall as 97 meters. The new crossing is 525 meters long with a span configuration of 3x38 +80+165+100 meters.
The 60 meter high Daiichi Shirakawa Railway Bridge was damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. In addition to deformation of many of the steel members there was also movement of the east abutment and pier. Restoration and reopening of the line is expected by 2022.
New Aso Bridge render.
New Aso Bridge elevation.
The original Aso arch bridge that was destroyed in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.
Aso Choyo Bridge with new approach spans.
Aso Choyo 2016 Kumaomoto Earthquake damage.
Aso Choyo Bridge repairs.
Aso Choyo reopening.
Aso Bridges satellite image.
Aso Bridges location map.