An aerial view of an X-shaped pedestrian footbridge crossing a busy city intersection with cars, a bus, and people walking across the paths.
via Canva

Some bridges and overpasses are tremendous at the whole problem-solving business. Others though, can feel like they are the very source of the problem. No matter what, these bridges and overpasses can really earn their own part of a double-take.

1. This bridge in Austria even has a café and a theater inside

Aerial view of an oval-shaped, futuristic floating structure with a glass roof and blue seating on a river, connected to both riverbanks by footbridges and surrounded by trees and city streets.
geography / via reddit.com

2. Some angles on this bridge in Japan are really steep

A steep, elevated bridge with cars driving up and down its wavy, roller coaster-like incline against a hazy background of hills and power lines.
tek0011 / via reddit.com

3. Did someone say spaghetti?

Aerial view of a large, complex highway interchange with multiple overlapping roads and ramps, surrounded by snow-covered ground and sparse trees on a clear day.
popguru / via reddit.com

4. You don’t know if you’re crossing the highway or riding a rollercoaster

Aerial view of a complex, multi-level highway interchange surrounded by dense green forest, with several looping ramps and overpasses crossing each other in intricate patterns.
answerguru / via reddit.com

5. This interchange in Tokyo has a rooftop garden on top of it

Aerial view of a modern cityscape featuring tall buildings, curved roads, a rooftop tennis court, and densely packed surrounding structures, with green spaces interspersed throughout.
user / via reddit.com

6. Why did the river have to cross the street?

Aerial view of two roads passing under a waterway with orange walls, allowing boats to cross over the roads. Cars are driving on both roads, surrounded by green vegetation and water.
haderztv / via reddit.com

7. This is a big warning sign in the shape of a bambú bridge

A narrow bamboo bridge with an arched design spans a fast-flowing river surrounded by rocks and lush green trees in a misty forest setting.
mrliamcothrane2020 / via reddit.com

8. In the Netherlands, people wanted to play Moises

A sunken wooden walkway, known as the Moses Bridge, cuts through a grassy embankment and a reflective moat, creating the visual illusion of walking through water.
adspecialist598 / via reddit.com

9. Why has this bridge turned into a village?

Aerial view of colorful houses and small buildings built along a narrow bridge supported by tall pillars over a green river, with a hillside and city buildings in the background.
rude_loquat_5801 / via reddit.com

10. Cars look like the water has sucked them

Aerial view of a curved bridge extending over blue water, with cars traveling on it and a city visible in the distant background. The bridge leads to a ramp that appears to end abruptly.
submechanophobia / via reddit.com

11. The person who designed this bridge was very into 90º angles

Aerial view of a road making a sharp zigzag turn over a railway track in a dry, rocky landscape. A road sign with the number 57 is visible on the upper road. Sparse vegetation is scattered around.
baddesigns / via reddit.com

12. Why not just a straight line?

Aerial view of a circular bridge over calm water extending from a sandy shoreline, with gentle waves visible in the background and soft lighting illuminating the bridge at dusk.
interesting / via reddit.com

13. Instead of another highway overpass, why not have a wildlife crossing?

A highway with two traffic lanes passes through twin tunnels under a grassy wildlife overpass, surrounded by dense green forest on both sides. Several cars are visible on the road.
gpflagguy1 / via reddit.com

14. You can hear those engines suffering

A steep, elevated bridge with several cars driving up and down its incline, flanked by power line towers. A yellow caution sign and speed limit sign are visible on the right side of the road.
texas / via reddit.com

15. Under that big X is a hidden treasure

Aerial view of a busy intersection with a clover-shaped pedestrian overpass, cars, buses, and people crossing. Surrounding buildings, greenery, and traffic can be seen.
engrandarch / via reddit.com

Explore more design content:

Infrastructure is supposed to be invisible… until it isn’t. When bridges and overpasses make you ask “why”, they also make the drive a little more memorable. If you’re in the mood for more questionable design choices, check these 20 Design Fails That Missed In Every Way, or these 20 Staircase Fails That Are Accidents Waiting to Happen. You can also enjoy these 20 Photos of Things People Discovered And Asked “Actually What Is This?”.

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt’s caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.