Traditional floating bridges are not suitable for deep or fast-moving waters like the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest and most challenging sea routes. Existing designs sit too low, blocking large ships, and rely on anchors that don’t work in very deep water or strong currents. Additionally, waves and wind can destabilize long floating bridges, making them unsafe or impractical.
The
Innovation
This invention introduces a modular floating bridge system that solves all three challenges. Each 200-meter-long module floats independently and is connected to others to form a complete bridge. The design includes tall tower-like structures with pontoons (floating supports) located deep below the wave line and no anchors required—a major breakthrough for deep-sea installations. These modules are connected above water and underwater, forming a stable and rigid arch that spans the entire strait without blocking marine traffic.
What’s
New
Unlike older floating bridges, this design:
- Allows even the largest modern ships and submarines to pass under it without interference.
- Uses a novel combination of deep underwater pontoons and heavy counterweights for stability.
- Eliminates the need for anchoring to the sea floor by creating a bridge that is “self-supporting” between the two shores.
- Resists the effects of wind, waves, and currents through a two-level buoyancy system.
The Benefits
- Safer, more stable crossings even in rough seas.
- Can be built in places where traditional bridges or tunnels are impossible.
- Supports heavy traffic and large vehicles with no disruption to sea transport.
Broader
Impact
This bridge technology could unlock safe, sustainable transport routes across deep or protected waters worldwide, supporting economic development, emergency response, and even future underwater infrastructure projects.