The longest bridge in Germany is the Rügen Bridge (Rügenbrücke), located in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Completed in 2007, the bridge spans approximately 4.1 kilometers (about 2.5 miles) and connects the city of Stralsund on the mainland to Germany's largest island, Rügen, across the Strelasund. It is a modern three-lane cable-stayed bridge featuring a striking 128-meter-high pylon that has become a landmark of the Baltic coast. The Rügen Bridge was built to relieve the older, parallel "Rügendamm" causeway, which frequently experienced traffic jams due to its lift bridge for ships. In 2026, it remains a critical piece of infrastructure, handling upwards of 23,000 vehicles daily, particularly during the peak summer tourism season. The bridge’s high clearance (42 meters above the water) allows large Baltic cargo ships to pass underneath without disrupting the heavy flow of traffic heading to the island's famous chalk cliffs and seaside resorts.