6 Aioi Bridge
Date completed (bridge that stood at the time of the bombing) December 12, 1932
Completion (rebuilt bridge)November 2, 1983
Constructor Hiroshima City
Shape
Original bridge: total width - 15m
Rebuilt bridge: total length - 123.4m, total width - 40m
(streetcar track, 6 traffic lanes, pedestrian lane)
Noteworthy characteristics
1. T-shaped bridge
The bridge that had been built in 1932 as a bridge only for streetcars was extended in 1934 from its central section to Jisenji-no-hana (now the north end of Peace Memorial Park) and thus received its unique T-shape that was a rare sight in Japan. Besides, in the very south of the bridge there were two wooden bridges on the east and west that had been built in 1878 and in the short period until they were taken down, Aioi Bridge formed an H-shape and created a special scenery.
2. Target of the atomic bomb and damage from the bomb
The bridge is regarded to have been the target of the atomic bomb. The bomb missed slightly, exploding in the air over Shima Hospital located 300 meters away from the bridge.
The fierce blast deformed the girders, the handrail on the northern side fell into the river and a part of the sidewalk was lifted up.
3. Reconstruction
The bridge was reconstructed after the war but gradually deteriorated and a new bridge replaced the old one in 1983. Granite stones were used in the reconstruction for the handrails and the main pillars in order to harmonize with the area around Peace Memorial Park and A-bomb Dome.
4. A witness of history
Now old pillars bearing the marks of the bombing are still preserved at the foot of the bridge and some of the girders deformed by the blast are displayed in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
