Kärkisten silta: A Modern Landmark

Kärkisten silta, located in Korpilahti, Jyväskylä, is a striking cable-stayed bridge that spans the Kärkistensalmi strait on Lake Päijänne. Completed in 1997, the bridge carries regional road 610, connecting highways 4 and 9 and providing a vital link between the eastern and western shores of Päijänne. Before the bridge was built, a ferry service operated across the Kärkistensalmi, often experiencing congestion, especially during summer weekends. The bridge was constructed to improve traffic flow and maintain a high level of service. A design competition was held in 1990 to create a bridge that would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing in the sensitive landscape. The Kärkisten silta is the third-longest bridge in Finland, with a total length of 787 meters. Its main span measures 240 meters, and the bridge has two H-shaped pylons, one 96 meters tall and the other 69 meters tall from the water surface. The bridge provides a navigable channel with a clearance of 18.5 meters, allowing boats to pass underneath. The bridge has a total width of 12 meters, with 9 meters dedicated to the roadway and 3 meters for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The bridge is considered to have a streamlined and light appearance. It offers stunning views of the surrounding Päijänne landscape. There's a café nearby where visitors can park and admire the bridge.