The Bixby Creek Bridge is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge in Big Sur, California. Prior to its opening in 1932, local residents were virtually cut off during winter as the old coast road, running as far as 11 miles (18 km) inland, was often impassable. At its completion, the bridge was, at 320 feet (98 m), the longest concrete arch span on the California State Highway System. It is one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world.Photograph: David Iliff