The unique bridge that helps cars change direction between countries

The Lotus Bridge

Here’s a dilemma you’ll probably never have to deal with: how to switch driving directions between countries. But if you do, the Lotus Bridge is one of the solutions.

How most countries switch driving directions

The problem? While many countries have happily switched to driving on the right side of the road, there are still a few that drive on the left. That becomes an issue when traveling from a right-side driving country to a left-side driving one (or vice-versa). How do you change directions without causing a wreck?

Ken Jennings notes that, most of the time, it’s a non-issue. There aren’t a lot of shared borders between right and left-hand driving countries and, when there are, a customs guard can just wave the change through. But Macau and China have a more aggressive approach.

How Macau and China change the game

The Lotus Bridge allows traffic to travel unimpeded between left-hand Macau and right-hand China. It’s the most clever solution to a complicated problem (we’ve made an infographic because the weird shape of the bridge can make it hard to visualize how it works. Note that the bridge actually has three lanes in each direction, which we’ve condensed for clarity).

Using The Lotus Bridge

Are there other solutions? A few. Gizmag shows an innovative proposal for switching directions, though it never got made. The Lok Ma Chau bridge between China and Hong Kong also facilitates traffic switching, but it’s less picturesque than the Lotus. Most of the time, however, you’ll just have to shift your steering wheel—and your frame of mind—to go from one side of the road to the other.

Start a Conversation

What's the best way to deal with a direction-switching border crossing?