Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge under construction.

This paper presents 1) brief history of the survey work, 2) brief description of the physical dimensions and structural system, 3) major studies for the design, 4) development of higher strength wires, 5) major studies for the construction of the foundation and the erection of the superstructure, and 6) program for the construction work. Emphasis will be placed more on the items 3) to 5). Some of them are wind tunnel tests with the 1/100 scale model, development of 180 kg/mm 2 wire, which together with smaller safety factor adopted for this particular bridge made wires of single band possible contributing simple design and saving of cost, construction of 60 meter deep foundation under the current velocity of 4 m/second, and vibration control of the main towers during the construction by tuned mass dumpers.