 Messina Bridge Deck cross section | |
| Manufacturer | Stretto di Messina S.p.A. |
|---|---|
| Type | Bridge deck |
| Release date | 1992 (designed) |
The Messina Type Deck (also known as Messina Style Bridge), [1] it is a suspension bridge deck designed by the Welsh engineer Bill Brown in 1992, [2] of the so-called third generation wing box type, with three separate boxes (two for road and one for the railway). [3] [4] [5]
The final approval of the Strait of Messina Bridge project was made on 6 August 2025. [6]
The third-Generation Suspension Bridges is a series of newly developed bridges [7] inaugurated with the suspension bridge project over the Strait of Messina. [1]
The deck section is composed of multiple airfoil-shaped boxes, separated by transparent surfaces and equipped with appropriate aerodynamic features. [2]
Not only does it offer wind resistance, but it is also intrinsically stable against aerodynamic instability. [2]
Even before being built for the bridge for which it was designed, the Messina Type Deck has been used in various bridges around the world. [1]
| Bridge | Year | Country | Main span | Bridge Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xihoumen Bridge | 2009 |  China | 1650 m | Suspension bridge |
| Stonecutters Bridge | 2009 |  Hong Kong | 1018 m | Cable stayed bridge |
| Yi Sun-sin Bridge | 2012 |  South Korea | 1545 m | Suspension bridge |
| San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge (eastern span) | 2013 |  United States | 385 m | Self-anchored suspension bridge |
| 1915 Çanakkale Bridge | 2022 |  Turkey | 2023 m | Suspension bridge |
| Xihoumen Railroad Bridge | 2026 | China | 1448 m | Suspension bridge |
the studies that have been conducted over time have led to the development of a type of stable aerodynamic deck (the Messina Type Deck) that has been deployed with success abroad in the construction of bridges with large spans such as the Chanakkale in Turkey, which is today the longest suspension bridge in the world