UK's longest bridge is busy 3.5-mile motorway that doesn't cross any water
The impressive bridge is a viaduct that runs parallel to a river for much of its span.
Think of busy bridges in the UK and a few come to mind. Thousands of people travel across the likes of the Humber Bridge near Hull, as well as the Prince of Wales Bridge, originally the Second Severn Crossing, that connects England and Wales.
Interestingly, the bridge that has secured the title of the UK's longest doesn't cross any body of water — it's in the middle of England. The impressive structure running a staggering three and a half miles is the Bromford Viaduct in Birmingham that forms part of the M6 motorway.
At 5,600 meters, it has become an iconic sight in the midland city. The bridge was built between 1965 and 1972 in an effort to improve traffic flow through the city.
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It starts at Castle Bromwich and runs through to Graverlly Hill. The Bromford Viaduct runs along the River Tame valley, with the bridge helping the motorway avoid the flood-prone area.
Viaducts, while technically bridges, are primarily designed to connect two points of similar height. It runs parallel to the River Tame for much of its length, as well as overlooking housing and commercial developments.
The bridge features six lanes in total, with three in each direction. In recent years, this stretch of the M6 has become a smart motorway.
The M6 also holds the title of the longest motorway in the UK. It starts at Catthorpe, which is junction 19 on the M1, all the way to the Scottish border.
The second longest bridge in the UK is the Prince of Wales Bridge that goes over the River Severn. It provides a vital link between England and Wales.
The Prince of Wales Bridge was completed in 1996 and is 5,128 meters or approximately 3.2 miles.
The UK's third longest bridge is the Tay Bridge, which carries rail traffic across the Firth of Tay in Scotland. It travels between Dundee and Wormit in Fife. The bridge stetches 3,286 meters, which is just over two miles.
Meanwhile, the Humber Bridge is the longest single-span suspension bridge in the UK thanks to it connecting East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
