The decision to build a road bridge was driven purely by transportation needs specific to the time period in which the structure was designed. In fact, at the preliminary design stage, the Akashi Strait Bridge also provided for a rail passage. However, by the late 1970s, shifting transportation needs, as outlined in the National Transportation Plan, led to the decision to opt for a road-only solution. This choice was not driven by technical difficulties related to construction, as confirmed by the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority (the operator of the Akashi Bridge) during an official mission of a joint delegation from Anas, Ferrovie dello Stato, and the Strait of Messina. Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority stated that while the rail solution was certainly feasible, the decision to build a road-only bridge was based entirely on transportation considerations.