This bridge in Switzerland is not for the faint of heart! The 494 meter (1,621 foot)-long bridge spans a valley in the Swiss Alps. That makes it the world’s longest suspension footbridge. Its walkway hangs from thick cables that attach to cliffs on each side.
Engineers built the bridge to replace a nearby one that was damaged by falling rocks. The rocks had been trapped in permafrost, a layer of frozen soil. In 2010, warming temperatures melted the permafrost. That caused the rocks to become loose and tumble down the mountain, putting pedestrians in danger.
The new bridge is safe from falling rocks, says Paul Summermatter, an official who oversaw its construction. And how does it feel to cross the bridge? “It’s pure adventure,” Summermatter says.