An overpass, called an overbridge or flyover (for a road only) in the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth countries, is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that is over another road or railway. An overpass and underpass together form a grade separation.[ Search for Separation,.] Stack interchanges are made up of several overpasses.
History
The world's first railroad flyover was constructed in 1843 by the London and Croydon Railway at Norwood Junction railway station to carry its atmospheric railway vehicles over the Brighton Main Line.
Highway and road
In North American usage, a
flyover is a high-level overpass, built above main overpass lanes, or a bridge built over what had been an at-grade intersection. Traffic engineers usually refer to the latter as a
grade separation. A flyover may also be an extra ramp added to an existing interchange, either replacing an existing cloverleaf loop (or being built in place of one) with a higher, faster ramp that eventually bears left, but may be built as a right or left exit.
A cloverleaf or partial cloverleaf contains some 270 degree loops, which can slow traffic and can be difficult to construct with multiple lanes. Where all such turns are replaced with flyovers (perhaps with some underpasses) only 90 degree turns are needed, and there may be four or more distinct levels of traffic. Depending upon design, traffic may flow in all directions at or near open road speeds (when not congested). For more examples, see Freeway interchange.
Pedestrian
A pedestrian overpass allows traffic to pass without affecting
pedestrian safety.
Railway
Railway overpasses are used to replace
(at-grade crossings) as a safer alternative. Using overpasses allows for unobstructed rail traffic to flow without conflicting with vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Rapid transit systems use complete grade separation of their rights of way to avoid traffic interference with frequent and reliable service.
Railways also use instead of as a way to avoid trains conflicting with those on other tracks.
Gallery
Overpasses in Spain.JPG|Overpasses near Barcelona
Cumberland Highway.jpg|Cumberland Highway overpasses a street in Sydney
Los Angeles Freeway Interchange.jpg|A high-capacity stack interchange: the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange in Los Angeles
SandgateRailOverpass.JPG|Sandgate Flyover, New South Wales, where two main railway lines pass over two dedicated coal lines
South entrance of Zheng Qi Overpass 20110114.jpg|Zheng Qi overpass, Taipei
Overpass-NYThruway-355.25-c.jpg|New York State Thruway overpass
Pedestrian overpass.JPG|Pedestrian overpass, I-64, St. Louis, Missouri. This overpass is located at the St. Louis Science Center.
Sion Panvel Highway Kharghar exit.jpeg|A road sign on Sion Panvel Highway in India instructing travellers to use flyover for onward journey.
Burbank Ave I-5 overpass under construction in Burbank, California.JPG|Overpass under construction over Interstate 5 in Burbank, California, July 2021
Athens-Kiffisia-aerial.jpg|Round overpass in Athens
General Holmes Drive from aircraft window.jpg|Sydney airport taxiway going over a major road.
Welcome to New Jersey Turnpike Southbound Edgewood Road Bridge 2023.jpg|Sign welcoming drivers to the New Jersey Turnpike under the Edgewood Road Bridge in Leonia, New Jersey
See also
External links
