Amarube Viaduct
The is a railway bridge in the town of Kami, Mikata District, Hyōgo Prefecture, on JR West's Sanin Main Line between the stations of Yoroi and Amarube. The original steel trestle bridge opened in 1912, and was replaced with the current reinforced concrete bridge on 12 August 2010. Background Work began on the original bridge in December 1909, and it opened for service March 1, 1912. It was in length and tall, constructed at a cost of 331,535 yen. It had 11 vertical supports and 23 sections of girders and National Route 178 passed beneath it. The structure's unique design and bright color made it popular not only with rail fans but tourists as well. The closest station is Amarube Station, and the mountain behind it provides a popular point from which photographers take pictures of the bridge. From March 6, 2008, the bridge was closed periodically for the construction of its replacement. Construction The terrain along the Sea of Japan coast is very rugged between the towns of Kami and Shin'onsen, and it was necessary to lay the railbed amongst the mountains. However, due to the area's topography, it would also have to cross over villages between mountains. The