Bridge vs. Causeway — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 21, 2023
A bridge is a raised structure spanning obstacles like rivers or roads to connect two areas, while a causeway is a road or pathway elevated on an embankment, often across water or wetlands.
Difference Between Bridge and Causeway
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A bridge is primarily designed to span a physical challenge, such as a body of water, valley, or road, allowing passage over the obstacle. On the other hand, a causeway is a type of road or track that is built above water or marshy ground, making the area passable.
A bridge can be made of various materials such as wood, steel, and concrete, and they can be of varying lengths, from small footbridges to vast suspension bridges. A causeway, however, typically uses earth, stone, or other materials to elevate a road or path, sometimes with bridges or culverts embedded within to allow water to flow underneath.
Both bridges and causeways are crucial in infrastructure and transportation networks. While bridges offer the ability to connect two places separated by obstacles, causeways ensure that roads remain accessible even in marshy or waterlogged areas.
The construction of a bridge requires engineering expertise, as it needs to support its weight, the weight of the traffic, and withstand external forces like wind. Causeways, in contrast, although simpler in design, need to consider tidal effects, water flow, and the environmental impact on surrounding wetlands.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To span over obstacles
To elevate roads above water or marshy ground
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Construction
Engineered for weight & external forces
Typically made of earth, stone or fill material
Location
Over rivers, valleys, roads
Over marshlands, shallow waters
Environmental Impact
Requires foundations & can affect water flow
May impact tidal effects and wetlands
Common Materials
Steel, concrete, wood
Earth, stone
Compare with Definitions
Bridge
A structure spanning and providing passage over a river, chasm, road, or the like.
She crossed the bridge to get to the other side of the river.
Causeway
A raised road or path across water or marshy ground.
We drove across the causeway to reach the island.
Bridge
A thing that provides connection, contact, or transition between two different things.
His skills acted as a bridge between traditional art and digital media.
Causeway
A paved or raised highway or road.
Tourists often stroll down the causeway in the evenings.
Bridge
A partial denture fixed to the adjacent natural teeth.
The dentist recommended a bridge to replace her missing teeth.
Causeway
An elevated embankment or roadway.
The causeway provided a safe passage during the flood.
Bridge
The upper bony ridge of the nose.
Her glasses rested on the bridge of her nose.
Causeway
A route built over water using stones and fill.
Ancient civilizations constructed causeways for both trade and warfare.
Bridge
A construction or natural feature that spans a divide.
Causeway
A structure similar to a bridge but usually broader and supported by multiple piers.
The scenic causeway offered breathtaking views of the surrounding wetlands.
Bridge
(roller derby) To employ the bridge tactic. (See Noun section.)
Causeway
A way or road raised above the natural level of the ground, serving as a dry passage over wet or marshy ground.
But that broad causeway will direct your way.
The other way Satan went downThe causey to Hell-gate.
Bridge
A circuit consisting of two branches (4 arms arranged in a diamond configuration) across which a meter is connected
Causeway
A raised road or track across low or wet ground
An island reached at low tide by a causeway
Bridge
A wooden support that holds the strings up
Causeway
A roadway on a raised bed of earth, rubble, or other fill, usually crossing open water or a wetland.
Bridge
A raised platform from where a ship is navigated.
The captain stood on the bridge, looking out to sea.
Causeway
A long bridge consisting of many short spans.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually something that is otherwise difficult or impossible to cross.
Causeway
A causeway is a track, road or railway on the upper point of an embankment across "a low, or wet place, or piece of water". It can be constructed of earth, masonry, wood, or concrete.
Bridge
A structure carrying a road, path, railway, etc. across a river, road, or other obstacle
A bridge across the River Thames
A railway bridge
Causeway
(Archaic) A paved highway.
Bridge
The elevated, enclosed platform on a ship from which the captain and officers direct operations
Talbot stepped across the two gunwales and made his way up to the bridge
Causeway
A road that is raised so as to be above water, marshland, and similar low-lying obstacles. Originally causeways were much like dykes, generally pierced to let water through, whereas many modern causeways are more like bridges or viaducts.
Bridge
A bridge passage or middle eight.
Causeway
To pave, to cobble.
Bridge
The support for the tip of a billiard cue formed by the hand.
Causeway
A road that is raised above water or marshland or sand
Bridge
An electric circuit with two branches across which a detector or load is connected, used to measure resistance or other property by equalizing the potential across the two ends of a detector, or to rectify an alternating voltage or current.
Causeway
Provide with a causeway;
A causewayed swamp
Bridge
A card game related to whist, played by two partnerships of two players who at the beginning of each hand bid for the right to name the trump suit, the highest bid also representing a contract to make a specified number of tricks with a specified suit as trumps.
Causeway
Pave a road with cobblestones or pebbles
Bridge
Be or make a bridge over (something)
Earlier attempts to bridge St George's Channel had failed
A covered walkway bridged the gardens
Bridge
Any of several card games derived from whist, usually played by four people in two partnerships, in which trump is determined by bidding and the hand opposite the declarer is played as a dummy.
Bridge
To build a bridge over.
Bridge
To cross by or as if by a bridge.
Bridge
A construction spanning a waterway, ravine, or valley from an elevated height, allowing for the passage of vehicles, pedestrians, trains, etc.
The rope bridge crosses the river.
Bridge
(anatomy) The upper bony ridge of the human nose.
Rugby players often break the bridge of their noses.
Bridge
(dentistry) A prosthesis replacing one or several adjacent teeth.
The dentist pulled out the decayed tooth and put in a bridge.
Bridge
(bowling) The gap between the holes on a bowling ball
Bridge
An arch or superstructure.
Bridge
(nautical) An elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.
The first officer is on the bridge.
Bridge
(graph theory) An edge which, if removed, changes a connected graph to one that is not connected.
Bridge
(poetry) A point in a line where a break in a word unit cannot occur.
Bridge
(diplomacy) A statement, such as an offer, that signals a possibility of accord.
Bridge
A day falling between two public holidays and consequently designated as an additional holiday.
Bridge
(electronics) Any of several electrical devices that measure characteristics such as impedance and inductance by balancing different parts of a circuit
Bridge
A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; a bridge wall.
Bridge
Anything supported at the ends, which serves to keep some other thing from resting upon the object spanned, as in engraving, watchmaking, etc., or which forms a platform or staging over which something passes or is conveyed.
Bridge
The small arch or bar at right angles to the strings of a violin, guitar, etc., serving of raise them and transmit their vibrations to the body of the instrument.
Bridge
A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; - usually called a bridge wall.
Bridge
A card game resembling whist.
Bridge
To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river.
Their simple engineering bridged with felled trees the streams which could not be forded.
Bridge
To open or make a passage, as by a bridge.
Xerxes . . . over HellespontBridging his way, Europe with Asia joined.
Bridge
To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; - generally with over.
Bridge
Something resembling a bridge in form or function;
His letters provided a bridge across the centuries
Bridge
The hard ridge that forms the upper part of the nose;
Her glasses left marks on the bridge of her nose
Bridge
Any of various card games based on whist for four players
Bridge
A denture anchored to teeth on either side of missing teeth
Bridge
The link between two lenses; rests on nose
Bridge
An upper deck where a ship is steered and the captain stands
Bridge
Connect or reduce the distance between
Bridge
Make a bridge across;
Bridge a river
Bridge
Cross over on a bridge
Bridge
The upper bony part of a person's nose
He pushed his spectacles further up the bridge of his nose
Bridge
A partial denture supported by natural teeth on either side.
Bridge
The part of a stringed instrument over which the strings are stretched
Ebony bridges and fingerboards
Bridge
A structure spanning and providing passage over a gap or barrier, such as a river or roadway.
Bridge
Something resembling or analogous to this structure in form or function
A land bridge between the continents.
A bridge of understanding between two countries.
Bridge
The upper bony ridge of the human nose.
Bridge
The part of a pair of eyeglasses that rests against this ridge.
Bridge
A fixed or removable replacement for one or several but not all of the natural teeth, usually anchored at each end to a natural tooth.
Bridge
A thin, upright piece of wood in some stringed instruments that supports the strings above the soundboard.
Bridge
A transitional passage connecting two subjects or movements.
Bridge
(Nautical) A crosswise platform or enclosed area above the main deck of a ship from which the ship is controlled.
Bridge
A long stick with a notched plate at one end, used to steady the cue in billiards. Also called rest1.
Bridge
The hand used as a support to steady the cue.
Bridge
Any of various instruments for measuring or comparing the characteristics, such as impedance or inductance, of a conductor.
Bridge
An electrical shunt.
Bridge
(Chemistry) An intramolecular connection that spans atoms or groups of atoms.
Bridge
The piece, on string instruments, that supports the strings from the sounding board.
Bridge
A particular form of one hand placed on the table to support the cue when making a shot in cue sports.
Bridge
A cue modified with a convex arch-shaped notched head attached to the narrow end, used to support a player's (shooter's) cue for extended or tedious shots. Also called a spider.
Bridge
Anything supported at the ends and serving to keep some other thing from resting upon the object spanned, as in engraving, watchmaking, etc., or which forms a platform or staging over which something passes or is conveyed.
Bridge
(wrestling) A defensive position in which the wrestler is supported by his feet and head, belly-up, in order to prevent touch-down of the shoulders and eventually to dislodge an opponent who has established a position on top.
Bridge
(gymnastics) A similar position in gymnastics.
Bridge
A connection, real or abstract.
Bridge
(medicine) A rudimentary procedure before definite solution
ECMO is used as a bridge to surgery to stabilize the patient.
Bridge
(computing) A device which connects two or more computer buses, typically in a transparent manner.
This chip is the bridge between the front-side bus and the I/O bus.
Bridge
(programming) A software component connecting two or more separate systems.
Bridge
(networking) A system which connects two or more local area networks at layer 2 of OSI model.
The LAN bridge uses a spanning tree algorithm.
Bridge
(chemistry) An intramolecular valence bond, atom or chain of atoms that connects two different parts of a molecule; the atoms so connected being bridgeheads.
Bridge
(electronics) An unintended solder connection between two or more components or pins.
Bridge
(music) A contrasting section within a song that prepares for the return of the original material section.
The lyrics in the song's bridge inverted its meaning.
In the bridge of his 2011 song "It Will Rain", Bruno Mars begs his lover not to "say goodbye."
Bridge
(cycling) The situation where a lone rider or small group of riders closes the space between them and the rider or group in front.
Bridge
A solid crust of undissolved salt in a water softener.
Bridge
(roller derby) An elongated chain of teammates, connected to the pack, for improved blocking potential.
Bridge
(card games) A card game played with four players playing as two teams of two players each.
Bidding is an essential element of the game of bridge.
Bridge
To be or make a bridge over something.
With enough cable, we can bridge this gorge.
Bridge
To span as if with a bridge.
The two groups were able to bridge their differences.
Bridge
(music) To transition from one piece or section of music to another without stopping.
We need to bridge that jam into "The Eleven".
Bridge
To connect two or more computer buses, networks etc. with a bridge.
Bridge
(wrestling) To go to the bridge position.
Bridge
A structure, usually of wood, stone, brick, or iron, erected over a river or other water course, or over a chasm, railroad, etc., to make a passageway from one bank to the other.
Bridge
A device to measure the resistance of a wire or other conductor forming part of an electric circuit.
Bridge
A structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
Common Curiosities
What is a bridge?
A bridge is a structure designed to span over obstacles such as rivers, valleys, or roads, providing a passage.
What is a causeway?
A causeway is a raised road or pathway built above water, marshland, or other challenging terrains, often using fill material.
How does a bridge differ from a viaduct?
While both span obstacles, a bridge usually spans short distances like rivers or roads, whereas a viaduct is a long bridge-like structure, often for trains or cars, that spans a valley or other extended areas.
How are causeways important for transportation?
Causeways ensure roads remain passable and accessible even in areas prone to flooding, marshy conditions, or tidal influences.
What materials are commonly used to build bridges?
Bridges can be constructed from a variety of materials, including steel, concrete, wood, and sometimes even bamboo or rope.
How are bridges typically funded?
Bridges can be funded through public (government) funds, tolls, or a combination of both, depending on the region and the significance of the bridge.
Can a causeway have a bridge in it?
Yes, a causeway can incorporate bridges or culverts within its design to allow water to pass underneath.
Do bridges and causeways affect the environment?
Yes, their construction can impact water flow, tidal patterns, and local ecosystems, necessitating careful planning and sometimes mitigation efforts.
Are causeways and dykes the same?
No, while both elevate above surrounding land or water, a causeway is primarily for transportation, whereas a dyke is built to prevent flooding.
Which is more expensive to build, a bridge or a causeway?
The cost varies based on location, materials, and design, but generally, bridges, especially long-span ones, can be more expensive due to engineering complexities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
