The original Almö Bridge was destroyed on January 18, 1980, when the ship Star Clipper collided with it during thick fog.
Eight people died during the 1980 collapse as vehicles drove off the broken edge before the bridge was closed to traffic.
The current cable-stayed bridge was opened to traffic on November 9, 1981, less than two years after the incident.
The bridge is designed to withstand a collision from a ship of up to 40,000 deadweight tons.
The construction project was accelerated significantly to reconnect the Tjörn community to the mainland.
The Tjörn Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Askeröfjord, connecting the island of Tjörn to the Swedish mainland via the Källösund Bridge and Stenungsund. It serves as a vital arterial link on Länsväg 160, facilitating transport across the archipelago. The current structure replaced the original Almö Bridge, which collapsed in 1980 after the bulk carrier Star Clipper struck its arch. The replacement bridge features a main span of 386 meters and a vertical clearance of 43 meters to accommodate maritime traffic. Its design prioritizes structural integrity and resistance to large vessel collisions following the historic tragedy. The bridge offers vantage points overlooking the surrounding islands and the busy shipping lanes of the Skagerrak coast.
The shoreline viewpoints on the northern end of Tjörn island, providing a side-profile view of the bridge arches.
Park at the designated scenic viewpoints on the Tjörn side to safely photograph the bridge structure.
Wear wind-resistant clothing, as the bridge elevation exposes pedestrians and cyclists to strong coastal gusts.
Bring binoculars to observe maritime traffic passing through the fjord beneath the bridge span.
Attempting to walk across the bridge during high-wind warnings or stopping vehicles on the bridge deck, which is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
