Central span
72 m above the water.
The Rio–Niterói Bridge, officially the President Costa e Silva Bridge, is a giant bridge across Guanabara Bay linking Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. It is 13.29 kilometres long, about 8.8 of them over water, and from its opening in 1974 until 1985 it was the second-longest bridge in the world. The idea of linking the two cities dates back to 1875, as the road between them looped more than a hundred kilometres around the bay. Construction began symbolically on 9 November 1968 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II on her only visit to Brazil. The 300-metre central span rises 72 metres above the water to let through the hundreds of ships that enter and leave the bay each month, and on completion it was the longest span of its type in the world. The bridge carries about 76,000 vehicles a day, and more than 150,000 at peak times. Crossing by car or bus is an experience in itself, with wide views of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Rio skyline, and the bridge also looks splendid from the ferry between the two cities and from Niterói's viewpoints.
72 m above the water.
And Sugarloaf.
A view of the bridge.
Over Guanabara Bay, between Rio de Janeiro and Niterói
No, it is for vehicles only; the ferry is a lovely alternative.