The
Bhumibol Bridge (), also known as the
Industrial Ring Road Bridge () is part of the 13 km 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 and 582 m supported by two diamond-shaped pylons 173 m and 164 m high. Where the two spans meet, another road rises to join them at a free-flowing interchange suspended 50 metres 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 aims 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 the 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 unofficial name "Mega Bridge" was also widely used.
The bridge was featured on
Discovery Channel.
thumb|600px|Panoramic view of both bridgesContractor: TNNS Jointventure, Taisei, Nishimatsu, NKK, Sino Thai (STECON)
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