The Magdeburg Water Bridge in Germany is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. It connects the Elbe-Havel Canal to the Mittellandkanal, crossing over the Elbe River. Before the bridge opened in 2003, ships had to make a nearly eight-mile detour for a trip that now takes only minutes. At 918 meters the water bridge joined the former East and West Germany, as part of the unification project.