A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
One of the oldest bridge forms, using a curved structure to transfer loads outward to abutments at each end.
Total in US
6,854
Poor Condition
12.8%
Avg Sufficiency
59.0
Average Age
84 yrs
Arch bridges are one of the oldest and most enduring bridge designs in human history. The Romans perfected stone arch bridge construction over 2,000 years ago, and many of their bridges are still standing and in use today. The fundamental principle is simple but powerful: a curved arch transfers the weight of the bridge and its loads outward along the curve to abutments at each end, converting vertical forces into diagonal thrust.
Modern arch bridges are built from steel, concrete, or a combination of both, and they continue to be a popular choice for medium spans where aesthetic beauty is valued alongside structural efficiency. They come in two main configurations: deck arch bridges, where the roadway sits on top of the arch, and through arch bridges, where the roadway passes through or is suspended below the arch.
The arch form is inherently efficient because it works primarily in compression, and materials like concrete and stone are excellent at resisting compressive forces. This makes arch bridges extremely durable and long-lasting, often requiring less maintenance than other bridge types over their lifespan.
The arch shape is the key to how these bridges work. When weight is applied to the top of an arch, the curved shape redirects the downward force along the curve of the arch to the abutments at each end. The arch is loaded primarily in compression, meaning the material is being squeezed rather than stretched. The abutments must be strong enough to resist the horizontal thrust that the arch transmits. In a deck arch, the roadway sits atop the arch with vertical columns (spandrels) transferring loads down to the arch. In a through arch, the deck is suspended below the arch crown using hangers. Tied-arch (bowstring) bridges add a horizontal tie between the arch ends to contain the thrust, eliminating the need for massive abutments.
The oldest known arch bridge still in use is the Mycenaean Arkadiko Bridge in Greece, built around 1300-1190 BC. It has been in continuous use for over 3,000 years and still carries local traffic today.
New River Gorge Bridge (West Virginia)
Bayonne Bridge (New York/New Jersey)
Hell Gate Bridge (New York)
Bixby Creek Bridge (Big Sur, California)
Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge (Tennessee)
Sydney Harbour Bridge (Australia)
| Rank | State | Count | % of Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 904 | 13.2% |
| 2 | New York | 631 | 9.2% |
| 3 | California | 565 | 8.2% |
| 4 | Indiana | 489 | 7.1% |
| 5 | West Virginia |
There are 6,854 arch bridges in the United States.
Iconic bridges with a deck hung from cables draped over tall towers, capable of spanning enormous distances.
Modern bridges where cables run directly from towers to the deck, creating a dramatic fan or harp pattern.
Bridges built from interconnected triangular elements, combining strength and material efficiency.
The most common bridge type in America, using horizontal beams supported by piers to carry the deck.
| 357 |
| 5.2% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 314 | 4.6% |
| 7 | Virginia | 278 | 4.1% |
| 8 | Ohio | 274 | 4.0% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 273 | 4.0% |
| 10 | Maryland | 241 | 3.5% |