Newport Aquarium’s ‘Shark Bridge’ – a 75ft (22.8m) rope suspension bridge crossing the Kentucky aquarium’s 385,000-gallon shark tank – has opened to the public, offering the world’s first such attraction.

Developed over an exhibit which features North America’s largest group of scalloped hammerhead sharks, the V-shaped rope bridge, first announced in January, hovers inches above the shark-infested waters for intrepid guests to cross. The tank below features seven species of shark, four rare shark rays, multiple stingrays and more than 300 fish.

Cincinnati-based GBBN Architects and THP Limited designed and engineered the Shark Bridge respectively, with work starting in February and completed by mid-April.

“For our thrill-seeking guests who dare to cross, Shark Bridge is a breathtaking way to experience sharks like never before,” said Eric Rose, executive director at Newport Aquarium. “It’s an adventure that you can only get here.”

The endangered scalloped hammerheads – a new addition to the tank – were born last year at a stable breeding ground in Hawaii. Over time the juvenile sharks will triple in size, growing up to 14ft (4.2m) in length and more than 300 pounds in weight.

Newport Aquarium to add rope bridge over shark tank