diff --git a/Source/VoxelForge/Private/VoxelForgeCoreAdapter.cpp b/Source/VoxelForge/Private/VoxelForgeCoreAdapter.cpp
index ea4cbfa..036d306 100644
--- a/Source/VoxelForge/Private/VoxelForgeCoreAdapter.cpp
+++ b/Source/VoxelForge/Private/VoxelForgeCoreAdapter.cpp
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ bool BuildFloatingIslandStratumPlan(const UVoxelStrateManager* StrateManager,
     IslandPlan.topChunkZ = Slot.TopChunkZ;
     IslandPlan.bottomChunkZ = Slot.BottomChunkZ;
     auto& Recipe = IslandPlan.manifest.recipe;
-    Recipe.geometryVersion = 7;
+    Recipe.geometryVersion = 8;
     Recipe.layoutChunkWidthSubvoxels = LayoutChunkWidthSubvoxels;
     Recipe.seed = static_cast<std::uint32_t>(StrateManager->GetWorldSeed());
     Recipe.ownerVoxelSizeMicrons = static_cast<std::uint32_t>(std::llround(OwnerVoxelSizeCm * 10000.0));
diff --git a/Standalone/Core/include/VoxelForgeCore/VoxelForgeCore.h b/Standalone/Core/include/VoxelForgeCore/VoxelForgeCore.h
index c36434b..23efbbc 100644
--- a/Standalone/Core/include/VoxelForgeCore/VoxelForgeCore.h
+++ b/Standalone/Core/include/VoxelForgeCore/VoxelForgeCore.h
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ namespace VoxelForgeCore
     // L'assembleur v1 encode coordonnees et scalaires en 1/256 de voxel, independamment des tuiles.
     inline constexpr std::int64_t WorldAssemblySubvoxelsPerVoxel = 256;
     inline constexpr std::uint32_t WorldAssemblySchemaVersion = 2;
-    // Version 13 adds connected relief-bearing rock spans across native open-air passage gaps.
-    inline constexpr std::uint32_t WorldAssemblyEvaluatorVersion = 13;
+    // Version 14 adds shared passage columns for long native open-air crossings.
+    inline constexpr std::uint32_t WorldAssemblyEvaluatorVersion = 14;
 
     enum class FieldChannel : std::uint32_t
     {
@@ -666,7 +666,7 @@ namespace VoxelForgeCore
         std::vector<ResolvedLayoutPassagePointV1> controlPoints;
     };
 
-    struct PassageBridgeRangeAuditV1
+    struct PassageVoidCrossingAuditV1
     {
         std::size_t passageIndex = 0;
         std::size_t firstSegment = 0;
@@ -675,6 +675,17 @@ namespace VoxelForgeCore
         double unsupportedLengthMetres = 0.0;
         std::array<double, 4> startPointSubvoxels{};
         std::array<double, 4> endPointSubvoxels{};
+        bool needsColumn = false;
+        bool connectedAtStart = false;
+        bool connectedAtEnd = false;
+        std::array<std::int64_t, 2> columnAxisSubvoxels{};
+        std::int64_t columnTopZSubvoxels = 0;
+        std::int64_t columnBottomZSubvoxels = 0;
+        std::int64_t columnMinimumRadiusSubvoxels = 0;
+        std::int64_t columnNominalRadiusSubvoxels = 0;
+        std::int64_t columnMaximumRadiusSubvoxels = 0;
+        double maximumRouteOffsetMetres = 0.0;
+        double maximumBoreRadiusMetres = 0.0;
     };
 
     struct ResolvedLayoutPassageConfigV1
@@ -1325,10 +1336,12 @@ namespace VoxelForgeCore
         ShapeBuildStats buildStats() const;
 
         float densityAt(Vec3d voxelPosition) const;
-        // Audit-only view of connected rock spans planned for passage support.
-        std::vector<PassageBridgeRangeAuditV1> passageBridgeRanges() const;
-        bool isPassageBridgeSample(std::size_t passageIndex, std::size_t segmentIndex,
-                                   Vec3d voxelPosition) const;
+        // Audit-only view of density-field columns and short spans supporting passage voids.
+        std::vector<PassageVoidCrossingAuditV1> passageVoidCrossings() const;
+        bool isPassageColumnSample(std::size_t passageIndex, std::size_t segmentIndex,
+                                  Vec3d voxelPosition) const;
+        bool isPassageShortSpanSample(std::size_t passageIndex, std::size_t segmentIndex,
+                                     Vec3d voxelPosition) const;
         // Audit-only selector provenance for the same point evaluator; never used by meshing.
         std::string densityDispatchPathAt(Vec3d voxelPosition) const;
         // Analytic source distance without the occupancy-preserving near-zero clamp or packed proxy.
diff --git a/Standalone/Core/src/FloatingIslandsInternal.h b/Standalone/Core/src/FloatingIslandsInternal.h
index f3708e9..b177e64 100644
--- a/Standalone/Core/src/FloatingIslandsInternal.h
+++ b/Standalone/Core/src/FloatingIslandsInternal.h
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ namespace floating_island_detail
             ? recipe.ownerVoxelSizeMicrons / ScaleGcd : 0;
         const std::uint32_t ExpectedDenominator = ScaleGcd > 0
             ? recipe.coreVoxelSizeMicrons / ScaleGcd : 0;
-        if (recipe.schemaVersion != 1 || recipe.geometryVersion < 1 || recipe.geometryVersion > 7
+        if (recipe.schemaVersion != 1 || recipe.geometryVersion < 1 || recipe.geometryVersion > 8
             || (recipe.geometryVersion == 1
                 && (recipe.crustDepthBonusQ16 != 0 || recipe.rootDepthRatioQ16 != 0))
             || recipe.unitsPerVoxel != Q
@@ -753,7 +753,8 @@ namespace floating_island_detail
         const double rootBlend = std::clamp(radius * 0.12, 2.0 * Q, 5.0 * Q);
         for (std::int32_t root = 0; root < rootCount; ++root)
             sdf = SmoothMin(sdf, RootLobeDensity(recipe, island, root, x, y, z), rootBlend);
-        if (recipe.geometryVersion >= 5 && island.ordinal == recipe.anchorIslandOrdinal
+        if (recipe.geometryVersion >= 5 && recipe.geometryVersion < 8
+            && island.ordinal == recipe.anchorIslandOrdinal
             && recipe.anchorRootBottomZSubvoxels < island.bottomZSubvoxels)
         {
             // The central buttress must meet the island crust underside. IslandBottom
@@ -944,14 +945,14 @@ namespace floating_island_detail
                                 FloatingIslandAnchorV1& island)
     {
         const std::int64_t pad = IslandBlendMargin(recipe) + recipe.roughnessSubvoxels;
-        const bool isAnchor=recipe.geometryVersion>=5
+        const bool isAnchorRoot=recipe.geometryVersion>=5&&recipe.geometryVersion<8
             &&island.ordinal==recipe.anchorIslandOrdinal;
         const std::int64_t reach = std::max(island.radiusSubvoxels,
-            isAnchor?recipe.anchorRootRadiusSubvoxels:std::int64_t{0})
+            isAnchorRoot?recipe.anchorRootRadiusSubvoxels:std::int64_t{0})
             + recipe.contourWarpSubvoxels + pad;
         island.influenceMinimumSubvoxels = {island.centerSubvoxels[0] - reach,
             island.centerSubvoxels[1] - reach,
-            (isAnchor?std::min(island.bottomZSubvoxels,recipe.anchorRootBottomZSubvoxels)
+            (isAnchorRoot?std::min(island.bottomZSubvoxels,recipe.anchorRootBottomZSubvoxels)
                 :island.bottomZSubvoxels)-pad};
         island.influenceMaximumSubvoxels = {island.centerSubvoxels[0] + reach,
             island.centerSubvoxels[1] + reach, island.topZSubvoxels + pad};
@@ -1026,14 +1027,15 @@ namespace floating_island_detail
                 { error = "floating-island anchor has invalid coordinates or an inverted bound"; return false; }
             }
             const std::int64_t pad = IslandBlendMargin(recipe) + recipe.roughnessSubvoxels;
+            const bool hasAnchorRoot=recipe.geometryVersion>=5&&recipe.geometryVersion<8&&isAnchor;
             const std::int64_t reach = std::max(island.radiusSubvoxels,
-                isAnchor?recipe.anchorRootRadiusSubvoxels:std::int64_t{0})
+                hasAnchorRoot?recipe.anchorRootRadiusSubvoxels:std::int64_t{0})
                 + recipe.contourWarpSubvoxels + pad;
             if (island.influenceMinimumSubvoxels[0] > island.centerSubvoxels[0] - reach
                 || island.influenceMaximumSubvoxels[0] < island.centerSubvoxels[0] + reach
                 || island.influenceMinimumSubvoxels[1] > island.centerSubvoxels[1] - reach
                 || island.influenceMaximumSubvoxels[1] < island.centerSubvoxels[1] + reach
-                || island.influenceMinimumSubvoxels[2] > (isAnchor
+                || island.influenceMinimumSubvoxels[2] > (hasAnchorRoot
                     ?std::min(island.bottomZSubvoxels,recipe.anchorRootBottomZSubvoxels)
                     :island.bottomZSubvoxels) - pad
                 || island.influenceMaximumSubvoxels[2] < island.topZSubvoxels + pad
diff --git a/Standalone/Core/src/ShapeWorldInternal.h b/Standalone/Core/src/ShapeWorldInternal.h
index 75c07b7..cbd207d 100644
--- a/Standalone/Core/src/ShapeWorldInternal.h
+++ b/Standalone/Core/src/ShapeWorldInternal.h
@@ -41,27 +41,31 @@ public:
         double SealThickness=0.0;
     };
 
-    const std::vector<FStandalonePassageBridgeRange>& GetPassageBridgeRanges() const
-    {return PassageBridgeRanges;}
+    const std::vector<FStandalonePassageVoidCrossing>& GetPassageVoidCrossings() const
+    {return PassageVoidCrossings;}
 
-    bool IsResolvedPassageBridgeSample(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex,
+    bool IsResolvedPassageColumnSample(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex,
         const VoxelForgeCore::Vec3d& Position) const
     {
-        if(IsPassageBridgeSegment(PassageIndex,SegmentIndex)
-            &&PassageBridgeSignedDistance(PassageIndex,SegmentIndex,
-                static_cast<float>(Position.x),static_cast<float>(Position.y),
-                static_cast<float>(Position.z))<=0.0)return true;
-        for(const auto& range:PassageBridgeRanges)
+        (void)SegmentIndex;
+        for(const auto& range:PassageVoidCrossings)
         {
-            if(range.passageIndex!=PassageIndex)continue;
-            for(std::size_t segment=range.firstSegment;segment<=range.lastSegment;++segment)
-                if(segment!=SegmentIndex&&PassageBridgeSignedDistance(PassageIndex,segment,
-                    static_cast<float>(Position.x),static_cast<float>(Position.y),
-                    static_cast<float>(Position.z))<=0.0)return true;
+            if(!range.needsColumn||range.passageIndex!=PassageIndex)continue;
+            if(PassageColumnSignedDistance(range,static_cast<float>(Position.x),
+                static_cast<float>(Position.y),static_cast<float>(Position.z))<=0.0)return true;
         }
         return false;
     }
 
+    bool IsResolvedPassageShortSpanSample(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex,
+        const VoxelForgeCore::Vec3d& Position) const
+    {
+        return IsPassageShortSpanSegment(PassageIndex,SegmentIndex)
+            &&PassageBridgeSignedDistance(PassageIndex,SegmentIndex,
+                static_cast<float>(Position.x),static_cast<float>(Position.y),
+                static_cast<float>(Position.z))<=0.0;
+    }
+
     double GetCoreVoxelSizeCm() const
     {
         return Owner == nullptr || Owner->CoreVoxelSizeMicrons == 0
@@ -197,6 +201,13 @@ public:
                 -passage.controlPoints.front().radiusSubvoxels+playerCenterAboveFloorQ;
             const double lastFloorQ=passage.controlPoints.back().positionSubvoxels[2]
                 -passage.controlPoints.back().radiusSubvoxels+playerCenterAboveFloorQ;
+            for(const auto& crossing:PassageVoidCrossings)
+            {
+                if(!crossing.needsColumn||crossing.passageIndex!=passageIndex
+                    ||qz>crossing.topZSubvoxels||qz<crossing.bottomZSubvoxels)continue;
+                const double columnDistance=PassageColumnSignedDistance(crossing,X,Y,Z);
+                composed=std::min(composed,static_cast<float>(columnDistance/Q));
+            }
             if(qz>firstFloorQ+2.0*passage.mouthRadiusSubvoxels
                 ||qz<lastFloorQ-2.0*passage.mouthRadiusSubvoxels)
             {
@@ -297,7 +308,7 @@ public:
             const double wallReliefWeight=1.0-0.80*verticalWallAlignment;
             const double roughSignedDistance=bestSignedDistance
                 +static_cast<double>(std::clamp(relief,-1.0f,1.0f))*0.24*qPerMetre*wallReliefWeight;
-            if(IsPassageBridgeSegment(passageIndex,static_cast<std::size_t>(bestIndex)))
+            if(IsPassageShortSpanSegment(passageIndex,static_cast<std::size_t>(bestIndex)))
             {
                 const double bridgeDistance=PassageBridgeSignedDistance(passageIndex,
                     static_cast<std::size_t>(bestIndex),X,Y,Z);
@@ -317,8 +328,9 @@ public:
                 const double radiusB=segmentB.radiusSubvoxels;
                 // Keep the tread within the probe band and below the capsule's
                 // lowest sampled point.
-                const double floorOffset=IsPassageBridgeSegment(passageIndex,
+                const double floorOffset=IsPassageShortSpanSegment(passageIndex,
                     static_cast<std::size_t>(index))
+                    ||IsPassageColumnSegment(passageIndex,static_cast<std::size_t>(index))
                     ?PassageBridgeDeckOffsetMetres(passageIndex,static_cast<std::size_t>(index))
                     :0.20;
                 const double horizontalLengthSq=dx*dx+dy*dy;
@@ -387,11 +399,14 @@ public:
                 considerSupportSegment(index);
             // Keep route treads inside the native rock envelope. Carving may reopen the
             // floor above this point, but a support cannot create a new surface in air.
-            const bool bridgeFloorSupport=hasSupportFloor
-                &&IsPassageBridgeSegment(passageIndex,
+            const bool passageColumnFloorSupport=hasSupportFloor
+                &&IsPassageColumnSegment(passageIndex,
+                    static_cast<std::size_t>(bestSupportSegmentIndex));
+            const bool shortSpanFloorSupport=hasSupportFloor
+                &&IsPassageShortSpanSegment(passageIndex,
                     static_cast<std::size_t>(bestSupportSegmentIndex));
             if(hasSupportFloor&&bestPlayerCapsuleSignedDistance>=0.05*qPerMetre
-                &&(density<0.0f||bridgeFloorSupport))
+                &&(density<0.0f||passageColumnFloorSupport||shortSpanFloorSupport))
                 composed=std::min(composed,static_cast<float>(bestSupportDensity));
         }
         return composed;
@@ -416,9 +431,8 @@ public:
                 const double radius=static_cast<double>(std::max(a.radiusSubvoxels,b.radiusSubvoxels))/Q;
                 const double floorThicknessVoxels=Owner&&Owner->CoreVoxelSizeMicrons>0
                     ?1000000.0/Owner->CoreVoxelSizeMicrons:4.0;
-                // A resolved passage bridge extends to a 3.5 m half-width and almost 5 m
-                // below the bore floor. Keep those cells shape-dependent for classification
-                // and streaming even before its bridge ranges have been compiled.
+                // Short support spans can extend to a 3.5 m half-width and almost 5 m
+                // below the bore floor. Keep those cells shape-dependent for classification.
                 const double horizontalExtent=std::max(radius,bridgeHalfWidthVoxels);
                 const double footDepth=std::max(floorThicknessVoxels,bridgeFootDepthVoxels);
                 const double low[3]={
@@ -435,6 +449,19 @@ public:
                 if(overlap)return true;
             }
         }
+        for(const auto& crossing:PassageVoidCrossings)
+        {
+            if(!crossing.needsColumn)continue;
+            const double radius=static_cast<double>(crossing.maximumRadiusSubvoxels)/Q;
+            const double low[3]={crossing.centerXSubvoxels/Q-radius,
+                crossing.centerYSubvoxels/Q-radius,crossing.bottomZSubvoxels/Q};
+            const double high[3]={crossing.centerXSubvoxels/Q+radius,
+                crossing.centerYSubvoxels/Q+radius,crossing.topZSubvoxels/Q};
+            bool overlap=true;
+            for(int axis=0;axis<3;++axis)
+                overlap&=high[axis]>=minimum[axis]&&low[axis]<=maximum[axis];
+            if(overlap)return true;
+        }
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -785,8 +812,10 @@ public:
         if(RoundTunnelsEnabled)
             BuildRoundTunnelPrimitives();
         BuildSpatialBins(LineBinSize);
-        BuildPassageBridgePlan();
         Stats.LocalLineBinSeconds=std::chrono::duration<double>(Clock::now()-Substage).count();
+        const auto SharedStage=Clock::now();
+        RebuildSharedFieldPrimitives();
+        Stats.SharedFieldSeconds=std::chrono::duration<double>(Clock::now()-SharedStage).count();
         Stats.ShapeSeconds=std::chrono::duration<double>(Clock::now()-Stage).count();
         Stats.PrimitiveCount=Primitives.size();
         if(Primitives.empty())
@@ -797,6 +826,10 @@ public:
         RockWords.assign(static_cast<size_t>(Size[0])*Size[1]*WordsPerZ,0);
         SurfaceDistanceQ=std::make_unique_for_overwrite<int16[]>(static_cast<size_t>(NodeCount));
         BuildPackedRockIntervals(Stats.RockIntervalLines);
+        // Native density queries for non-heightfield strates use the exact interval
+        // evaluator. Build those native intervals before scanning passage support;
+        // the scan itself still completes before any resolved column is composed.
+        BuildPassageVoidCrossingPlan();
         BuildCandidateBands(Stats.CandidateAxisLines,Stats.CandidateMergeLines,
             Stats.CandidateMergeSeconds);
         if(!BuildGpuVisualDetailNodeSets(InGpuVisualDetailTiles,InCpuVisualDetailTiles,Error))
@@ -820,9 +853,6 @@ public:
             return false;
         }
         Stats.PassageValidationSeconds=std::chrono::duration<double>(Clock::now()-Substage).count();
-        Substage=Clock::now();
-        RebuildSharedFieldPrimitives();
-        Stats.SharedFieldSeconds=std::chrono::duration<double>(Clock::now()-Substage).count();
         Built=true;
         if(bIncludeFarWorld)BuildFarWorld();
         const uint64 WordBytes=static_cast<uint64>(RockWords.size()+CandidateWords.size())*sizeof(uint64);
@@ -1693,23 +1723,27 @@ public:
     }
 
 private:
-    bool IsPassageBridgeSegment(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex) const
+    bool IsPassageColumnSegment(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex) const
     {
-        return std::any_of(PassageBridgeRanges.begin(),PassageBridgeRanges.end(),
-            [PassageIndex,SegmentIndex](const auto& range)
-                {return range.passageIndex==PassageIndex
-                    &&SegmentIndex>=range.firstSegment&&SegmentIndex<=range.lastSegment;});
+        return std::any_of(PassageVoidCrossings.begin(),PassageVoidCrossings.end(),
+            [PassageIndex,SegmentIndex](const auto& crossing)
+                {return crossing.needsColumn&&crossing.passageIndex==PassageIndex
+                    &&SegmentIndex>=crossing.firstSegment&&SegmentIndex<=crossing.lastSegment;});
+    }
+
+    bool IsPassageShortSpanSegment(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex) const
+    {
+        return std::any_of(PassageVoidCrossings.begin(),PassageVoidCrossings.end(),
+            [PassageIndex,SegmentIndex](const auto& crossing)
+                {return !crossing.needsColumn&&crossing.passageIndex==PassageIndex
+                    &&SegmentIndex>=crossing.firstSegment&&SegmentIndex<=crossing.lastSegment;});
     }
 
     double PassageBridgeDeckOffsetMetres(std::size_t PassageIndex,
         std::size_t SegmentIndex) const
     {
-        for(const auto& range:PassageBridgeRanges)
-        {
-            if(range.passageIndex!=PassageIndex||SegmentIndex>range.lastSegment)continue;
-            if(SegmentIndex>=range.firstSegment)return 0.13;
-        }
-        return 0.20;
+        (void)PassageIndex;(void)SegmentIndex;
+        return 0.13;
     }
 
     double PassageBridgeSignedDistance(std::size_t PassageIndex,std::size_t SegmentIndex,
@@ -1760,6 +1794,109 @@ private:
         return outside+inside;
     }
 
+    double PassageColumnSignedDistance(const FStandalonePassageVoidCrossing& crossing,
+        float X,float Y,float Z) const
+    {
+        if(crossing.maximumRadiusSubvoxels<=0||crossing.topZSubvoxels
+            <=crossing.bottomZSubvoxels)return std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity();
+        constexpr double Q=static_cast<double>(VoxelForgeCore::WorldAssemblySubvoxelsPerVoxel);
+        const double qPerMetre=Q*1000000.0/std::max<std::uint32_t>(1,
+            ResolvedLayout?ResolvedLayout->coreVoxelSizeMicrometres:250000u);
+        const double qx=static_cast<double>(X)*Q,qy=static_cast<double>(Y)*Q,
+            qz=static_cast<double>(Z)*Q;
+        const double dx=qx-crossing.centerXSubvoxels;
+        const double dy=qy-crossing.centerYSubvoxels;
+        const double maximumRadius=static_cast<double>(crossing.maximumRadiusSubvoxels);
+        const double horizontalSquared=dx*dx+dy*dy;
+        if(horizontalSquared>maximumRadius*maximumRadius)
+            return DeterministicSqrt(horizontalSquared)-maximumRadius;
+        if(qz>crossing.topZSubvoxels)
+            return qz-crossing.topZSubvoxels;
+        if(qz<crossing.bottomZSubvoxels)
+            return crossing.bottomZSubvoxels-qz;
+
+        // The lower-strate route is already walkable in its native field and binds
+        // directly to the passage mouth. Preserve that player capsule as the column
+        // flares into the ground, so the pillar joins the route instead of sealing it.
+        if(ResolvedLayout&&crossing.passageIndex<ResolvedLayout->passages.size()
+            &&qz<crossing.bottomZSubvoxels+18.0*qPerMetre)
+        {
+            const auto& passage=ResolvedLayout->passages[crossing.passageIndex];
+            const auto lower=std::find_if(ResolvedLayout->strates.begin(),
+                ResolvedLayout->strates.end(),[&](const auto& value)
+                    {return value.strateIndex==passage.lowerStrateIndex;});
+            if(lower!=ResolvedLayout->strates.end())
+            {
+                const double capsuleRadius=0.37*qPerMetre;
+                const double capsuleHalfHeight=0.86*qPerMetre;
+                const double capsuleRadiusSquared=capsuleRadius*capsuleRadius;
+                const VoxelForgeCore::ResolvedLayoutAnchorV2* previous=nullptr;
+                for(const auto& anchor:lower->anchors)
+                {
+                    if(anchor.kind!="route_point"||anchor.values.size()<3)continue;
+                    if(previous)
+                    {
+                        const double ax=previous->values[0],ay=previous->values[1];
+                        const double dx=static_cast<double>(anchor.values[0])-ax;
+                        const double dy=static_cast<double>(anchor.values[1])-ay;
+                        const double lengthSquared=dx*dx+dy*dy;
+                        const double t=lengthSquared>0.0?std::clamp(
+                            ((qx-ax)*dx+(qy-ay)*dy)/lengthSquared,0.0,1.0):0.0;
+                        const double routeX=ax+t*dx,routeY=ay+t*dy;
+                        const double routeZ=previous->values[2]+t*(
+                            static_cast<double>(anchor.values[2])-previous->values[2]);
+                        const double routeDx=qx-routeX,routeDy=qy-routeY;
+                        if(routeDx*routeDx+routeDy*routeDy<=capsuleRadiusSquared
+                            &&std::abs(qz-routeZ)<=capsuleHalfHeight)
+                            return maximumRadius+qPerMetre;
+                    }
+                    previous=&anchor;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        const double height=static_cast<double>(crossing.topZSubvoxels
+            -crossing.bottomZSubvoxels);
+        const double t=std::clamp((crossing.topZSubvoxels-qz)/height,0.0,1.0);
+        const auto smoothStep=[](double value)
+        {
+            value=std::clamp(value,0.0,1.0);
+            return value*value*(3.0-2.0*value);
+        };
+        const float z=static_cast<float>(Z);
+        const float scaledZ=z*0.12f;
+        const float driftX=VF_FieldSurfaceRelief(0.0f,0.0f,scaledZ,
+            static_cast<std::uint32_t>(Owner?Owner->Seed:0)^0x434f4c58u);
+        const float driftY=VF_FieldSurfaceRelief(0.0f,0.0f,scaledZ,
+            static_cast<std::uint32_t>(Owner?Owner->Seed:0)^0x434f4c59u);
+        const double axisX=crossing.centerXSubvoxels
+            +std::clamp(static_cast<double>(driftX),-1.0,1.0)*0.35*qPerMetre;
+        const double axisY=crossing.centerYSubvoxels
+            +std::clamp(static_cast<double>(driftY),-1.0,1.0)*0.35*qPerMetre;
+        const double centerDx=qx-axisX,centerDy=qy-axisY;
+        const double radialDistance=DeterministicSqrt(centerDx*centerDx+centerDy*centerDy);
+        const float broadRelief=VF_FieldSurfaceRelief(X*0.12f,Y*0.12f,Z*0.12f,
+            static_cast<std::uint32_t>(Owner?Owner->Seed:0)^0x434f4c52u);
+        const float surfaceRelief=VF_FieldSurfaceRelief(X,Y,Z,
+            static_cast<std::uint32_t>(Owner?Owner->Seed:0)^0x434f4c53u);
+        const double baseFlare=6.0*qPerMetre*smoothStep((t-0.82)/0.18);
+        const double ceilingFlare=2.0*qPerMetre*(1.0-smoothStep(t/0.075));
+        const double irregularity=1.25*qPerMetre
+            +std::clamp(static_cast<double>(broadRelief),-1.0,1.0)*1.10*qPerMetre
+            +std::clamp(static_cast<double>(surfaceRelief),-1.0,1.0)*0.35*qPerMetre;
+        const double radius=static_cast<double>(crossing.minimumRadiusSubvoxels)
+            +std::max(0.15*qPerMetre,irregularity)+baseFlare+ceilingFlare;
+        const double radialDistanceField=radialDistance-radius;
+        const double topDistance=qz-crossing.topZSubvoxels;
+        const double bottomDistance=crossing.bottomZSubvoxels-qz;
+        const double verticalDistance=std::max(topDistance,bottomDistance);
+        const double outside=DeterministicSqrt(
+            std::max(radialDistanceField,0.0)*std::max(radialDistanceField,0.0)
+            +std::max(verticalDistance,0.0)*std::max(verticalDistance,0.0));
+        const double inside=std::min(std::max(radialDistanceField,verticalDistance),0.0);
+        return outside+inside;
+    }
+
     float NativePassageDensityAt(float X,float Y,float Z) const
     {
         float density=0.0f;
@@ -1775,33 +1912,25 @@ private:
         return ApplyResolvedStrateBoundaryBand(density,X,Y,Z);
     }
 
-    void BuildPassageBridgePlan()
+    void BuildPassageVoidCrossingPlan()
     {
-        PassageBridgeRanges.clear();
+        PassageVoidCrossings.clear();
         if(!Owner||!ResolvedLayout||ResolvedLayout->passages.empty()
-            ||!Owner->PassageBridgeCache)return;
-        auto& cache=*Owner->PassageBridgeCache;
+            ||!Owner->PassageVoidCrossingCache)return;
+        auto& cache=*Owner->PassageVoidCrossingCache;
         std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(cache.mutex);
-        const auto cached=cache.byLayout.find(ResolvedLayout->stableIdentity);
+        const std::string cacheKey=ResolvedLayout->stableIdentity+"/passage-void-columns-v1";
+        const auto cached=cache.byLayout.find(cacheKey);
         if(cached!=cache.byLayout.end())
-        {PassageBridgeRanges=cached->second;return;}
+        {PassageVoidCrossings=cached->second;return;}
 
         constexpr double Q=static_cast<double>(VoxelForgeCore::WorldAssemblySubvoxelsPerVoxel);
         const double qPerMetre=Q*1000000.0/std::max<std::uint32_t>(1,
             ResolvedLayout->coreVoxelSizeMicrometres);
-        const auto inSurfaceWorldStratum=[&](double zSubvoxels)
-        {
-            const double zMicrometres=zSubvoxels
-                *ResolvedLayout->coreVoxelSizeMicrometres/Q;
-            return std::any_of(ResolvedLayout->strates.begin(),ResolvedLayout->strates.end(),
-                [zMicrometres](const auto& stratum)
-                {return stratum.generatorKind=="SurfaceWorld"
-                    &&zMicrometres>=stratum.interiorBottomMicrometres
-                    &&zMicrometres<stratum.interiorTopMicrometres;});
-        };
         constexpr std::array<std::array<double,2>,5> supportOffsets{{
             {{0.0,0.0}},{{0.45,0.0}},{{-0.45,0.0}},{{0.0,0.45}},{{0.0,-0.45}}}};
         constexpr std::array<double,2> supportDepthsMetres{{0.125,0.25}};
+        constexpr double shortSpanMaximumMetres=12.5; // 2.5 x the 5 m legacy support thickness.
         struct FPathSample
         {
             std::size_t segment=0;
@@ -1818,14 +1947,10 @@ private:
                 for(const double depth:supportDepthsMetres)
                 {
                     const double sampleZ=floorQ-depth*qPerMetre;
-                    // Bridge spans address the measured SurfaceWorld void. Other native
-                    // strata retain their own route/cave composition and are excluded here.
-                    if(!inSurfaceWorldStratum(sampleZ)){hasSolid=true;break;}
-                    float density=1.0f;
-                    if(!NativeSurfaceDensityAt(
+                    const float density=NativePassageDensityAt(
                         static_cast<float>((point[0]+offset[0]*qPerMetre)/Q),
                         static_cast<float>((point[1]+offset[1]*qPerMetre)/Q),
-                        static_cast<float>(sampleZ/Q),density))continue;
+                        static_cast<float>(sampleZ/Q));
                     if(density<0.0f){hasSolid=true;break;}
                 }
                 supported+=hasSolid;
@@ -1874,9 +1999,10 @@ private:
                 const std::size_t gapBegin=cursor;
                 while(cursor<samples.size()&&!samples[cursor].nativeSupported)++cursor;
                 const std::size_t gapEnd=cursor-1;
-                if(gapBegin==0||cursor>=samples.size())continue;
+                const std::size_t startSample=gapBegin>0?gapBegin-1:gapBegin;
+                const std::size_t endSample=cursor<samples.size()?cursor:samples.size()-1;
                 double gapLength=0.0;
-                for(std::size_t index=gapBegin;index<=gapEnd;++index)
+                for(std::size_t index=startSample+1;index<=endSample;++index)
                 {
                     const auto& a=samples[index-1].point;
                     const auto& b=samples[index].point;
@@ -1884,25 +2010,105 @@ private:
                     gapLength+=DeterministicSqrt(dx*dx+dy*dy+dz*dz)/qPerMetre;
                 }
                 if(gapLength<1.0)continue;
-                FStandalonePassageBridgeRange range;
-                range.passageIndex=passageIndex;
-                range.firstSegment=samples[gapBegin-1].segment;
-                range.lastSegment=samples[cursor].segment;
-                range.unsupportedSamples=gapEnd-gapBegin+1;
-                range.unsupportedLengthMetres=gapLength;
-                range.startPoint=samples[gapBegin-1].point;
-                range.endPoint=samples[cursor].point;
-                PassageBridgeRanges.push_back(range);
-                std::printf("[PassageRockBridgePlan] id=%s first_segment=%zu last_segment=%zu unsupported_samples=%llu gap_length_m=%.3f connected_start=1 connected_end=1 width_m=6.000 thickness_m=3.000..5.000 status=PLANNED\n",
-                    passage.stableId.c_str(),range.firstSegment,range.lastSegment,
-                    static_cast<unsigned long long>(range.unsupportedSamples),gapLength);
+                FStandalonePassageVoidCrossing crossing;
+                crossing.passageIndex=passageIndex;
+                crossing.firstSegment=samples[startSample].segment;
+                crossing.lastSegment=samples[endSample].segment;
+                crossing.unsupportedSamples=gapEnd-gapBegin+1;
+                crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres=gapLength;
+                crossing.startPoint=samples[startSample].point;
+                crossing.endPoint=samples[endSample].point;
+                crossing.connectedAtStart=gapBegin>0&&samples[startSample].nativeSupported;
+                crossing.connectedAtEnd=cursor<samples.size()&&samples[endSample].nativeSupported;
+                crossing.needsColumn=gapLength>shortSpanMaximumMetres;
+                if(crossing.needsColumn&&passage.controlPoints.size()>1)
+                    crossing.lastSegment=std::min(crossing.lastSegment+1,
+                        passage.controlPoints.size()-2);
+                if(crossing.needsColumn)
+                {
+                    std::int64_t sumX=0,sumY=0;
+                    std::uint64_t centerSamples=0;
+                    for(std::size_t index=gapBegin;index<=gapEnd;++index)
+                    {
+                        sumX+=static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(samples[index].point[0]));
+                        sumY+=static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(samples[index].point[1]));
+                        ++centerSamples;
+                    }
+                    crossing.centerXSubvoxels=centerSamples>0
+                        ?static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(static_cast<double>(sumX)/centerSamples)):0;
+                    crossing.centerYSubvoxels=centerSamples>0
+                        ?static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(static_cast<double>(sumY)/centerSamples)):0;
+                    for(const auto& stratum:ResolvedLayout->strates)
+                        if(stratum.strateIndex==passage.upperStrateIndex
+                            &&stratum.generatorKind=="FloatingIslands")
+                            for(const auto& anchor:stratum.anchors)
+                                if(anchor.kind=="passage_anchor"&&anchor.values.size()>=2)
+                                {
+                                    crossing.centerXSubvoxels=anchor.values[0];
+                                    crossing.centerYSubvoxels=anchor.values[1];
+                                    break;
+                                }
+                    double maximumOffsetSubvoxels=0.0;
+                    double maximumBoreSubvoxels=0.0;
+                    for(std::size_t index=startSample;index<=endSample;++index)
+                    {
+                        const auto& point=samples[index].point;
+                        const double dx=point[0]-crossing.centerXSubvoxels;
+                        const double dy=point[1]-crossing.centerYSubvoxels;
+                        maximumOffsetSubvoxels=std::max(maximumOffsetSubvoxels,
+                            DeterministicSqrt(dx*dx+dy*dy));
+                        maximumBoreSubvoxels=std::max(maximumBoreSubvoxels,point[3]);
+                    }
+                    const double maximumOffsetMetres=maximumOffsetSubvoxels/qPerMetre;
+                    const double maximumBoreMetres=maximumBoreSubvoxels/qPerMetre;
+                    const double minimumRadiusMetres=maximumOffsetMetres+maximumBoreMetres+2.0;
+                    const double nominalRadiusMetres=minimumRadiusMetres+1.25;
+                    crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres=maximumOffsetMetres;
+                    crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres=maximumBoreMetres;
+                    crossing.minimumRadiusSubvoxels=static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::ceil(
+                        minimumRadiusMetres*qPerMetre));
+                    crossing.nominalRadiusSubvoxels=static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(
+                        nominalRadiusMetres*qPerMetre));
+                    crossing.maximumRadiusSubvoxels=crossing.minimumRadiusSubvoxels
+                        +static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::ceil(11.25*qPerMetre));
+                    const double startZ=crossing.startPoint[2];
+                    const double endZ=crossing.endPoint[2];
+                    crossing.topZSubvoxels=static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(
+                        std::max(startZ,endZ)+5.0*qPerMetre));
+                    crossing.bottomZSubvoxels=static_cast<std::int64_t>(std::llround(
+                        std::min(startZ,endZ)-6.0*qPerMetre));
+                }
+                PassageVoidCrossings.push_back(crossing);
+                if(crossing.needsColumn)
+                {
+                    const double coreRadius=crossing.nominalRadiusSubvoxels/qPerMetre;
+                    const double minimumWall=coreRadius-crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres
+                        -crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres;
+                    std::printf("[PassageVoidColumnPlan] id=%s segments=%zu..%zu unsupported_samples=%llu span_m=%.3f threshold_m=%.3f connected=%d/%d axis_m=(%.3f,%.3f) z_m=%.3f..%.3f route_radius_m=%.3f bore_radius_m=%.3f min_radius_m=%.3f nominal_radius_m=%.3f max_radius_m=%.3f nominal_wall_m=%.3f flare_m=6.000 status=%s\n",
+                        passage.stableId.c_str(),crossing.firstSegment,crossing.lastSegment,
+                        static_cast<unsigned long long>(crossing.unsupportedSamples),gapLength,
+                        shortSpanMaximumMetres,static_cast<int>(crossing.connectedAtStart),
+                        static_cast<int>(crossing.connectedAtEnd),
+                        crossing.centerXSubvoxels/qPerMetre,crossing.centerYSubvoxels/qPerMetre,
+                        crossing.topZSubvoxels/qPerMetre,crossing.bottomZSubvoxels/qPerMetre,
+                        crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres,crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres,
+                        crossing.minimumRadiusSubvoxels/qPerMetre,coreRadius,
+                        crossing.maximumRadiusSubvoxels/qPerMetre,minimumWall,
+                        crossing.connectedAtStart&&crossing.connectedAtEnd?"PLANNED":"UNATTACHED");
+                }
+                else
+                    std::printf("[PassageShortGroundedSpanPlan] id=%s segments=%zu..%zu span_m=%.3f threshold_m=%.3f connected=%d/%d width_m=6.000 thickness_m=3.000..5.000 status=%s\n",
+                        passage.stableId.c_str(),crossing.firstSegment,crossing.lastSegment,
+                        gapLength,shortSpanMaximumMetres,static_cast<int>(crossing.connectedAtStart),
+                        static_cast<int>(crossing.connectedAtEnd),
+                        crossing.connectedAtStart&&crossing.connectedAtEnd?"PLANNED":"UNATTACHED");
             }
-            if(std::none_of(PassageBridgeRanges.begin(),PassageBridgeRanges.end(),
+            if(std::none_of(PassageVoidCrossings.begin(),PassageVoidCrossings.end(),
                 [passageIndex](const auto& range){return range.passageIndex==passageIndex;}))
-                std::printf("[PassageRockBridgePlan] id=%s spans=0 status=NOT_REQUIRED\n",
+                std::printf("[PassageVoidColumnPlan] id=%s crossings=0 status=NOT_REQUIRED\n",
                     passage.stableId.c_str());
         }
-        cache.byLayout.emplace(ResolvedLayout->stableIdentity,PassageBridgeRanges);
+        cache.byLayout.emplace(cacheKey,PassageVoidCrossings);
     }
 
     static uint64 PackLatticeKey(int32 X,int32 Y,int32 Z)
@@ -6151,7 +6357,7 @@ private:
     std::vector<FFarConnectorSegment> FarConnectorSegments;
     std::unordered_map<FBinKey,std::vector<uint32>,FBinHash> FarConnectorSpatialBins;
     std::vector<FEditBrush> EditBrushes;
-    std::vector<FStandalonePassageBridgeRange> PassageBridgeRanges;
+    std::vector<FStandalonePassageVoidCrossing> PassageVoidCrossings;
     std::array<FAxisBins,3> AxisBins;
     std::unordered_map<FBinKey,FBinItems,FBinHash> SpatialBins;
     std::unordered_map<FBinKey,FBinItems,FBinHash> CriticalAirBins;
diff --git a/Standalone/Core/src/VoxelForgeCore.cpp b/Standalone/Core/src/VoxelForgeCore.cpp
index 156c0d3..391c55c 100644
--- a/Standalone/Core/src/VoxelForgeCore.cpp
+++ b/Standalone/Core/src/VoxelForgeCore.cpp
@@ -1542,27 +1542,43 @@ namespace VoxelForgeCore
 
     float World::densityAt(Vec3d position) const
     { return impl_&&impl_->shapeReady.load(std::memory_order_acquire)&&impl_->shape?impl_->shape->DensityAt(static_cast<float>(position.x),static_cast<float>(position.y),static_cast<float>(position.z)):0.0f; }
-    std::vector<PassageBridgeRangeAuditV1> World::passageBridgeRanges() const
+    std::vector<PassageVoidCrossingAuditV1> World::passageVoidCrossings() const
     {
-        std::vector<PassageBridgeRangeAuditV1> result;
+        std::vector<PassageVoidCrossingAuditV1> result;
         if(!impl_||!impl_->shapeReady.load(std::memory_order_acquire)||!impl_->shape)return result;
-        const auto& ranges=impl_->shape->GetPassageBridgeRanges();
-        result.reserve(ranges.size());
-        for(const auto& range:ranges)
+        const auto& crossings=impl_->shape->GetPassageVoidCrossings();
+        result.reserve(crossings.size());
+        for(const auto& crossing:crossings)
         {
-            PassageBridgeRangeAuditV1 value;
-            value.passageIndex=range.passageIndex;value.firstSegment=range.firstSegment;
-            value.lastSegment=range.lastSegment;value.unsupportedSamples=range.unsupportedSamples;
-            value.unsupportedLengthMetres=range.unsupportedLengthMetres;
-            value.startPointSubvoxels=range.startPoint;value.endPointSubvoxels=range.endPoint;
+            PassageVoidCrossingAuditV1 value;
+            value.passageIndex=crossing.passageIndex;value.firstSegment=crossing.firstSegment;
+            value.lastSegment=crossing.lastSegment;value.unsupportedSamples=crossing.unsupportedSamples;
+            value.unsupportedLengthMetres=crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres;
+            value.startPointSubvoxels=crossing.startPoint;value.endPointSubvoxels=crossing.endPoint;
+            value.needsColumn=crossing.needsColumn;
+            value.connectedAtStart=crossing.connectedAtStart;
+            value.connectedAtEnd=crossing.connectedAtEnd;
+            value.columnAxisSubvoxels={crossing.centerXSubvoxels,crossing.centerYSubvoxels};
+            value.columnTopZSubvoxels=crossing.topZSubvoxels;
+            value.columnBottomZSubvoxels=crossing.bottomZSubvoxels;
+            value.columnMinimumRadiusSubvoxels=crossing.minimumRadiusSubvoxels;
+            value.columnNominalRadiusSubvoxels=crossing.nominalRadiusSubvoxels;
+            value.columnMaximumRadiusSubvoxels=crossing.maximumRadiusSubvoxels;
+            value.maximumRouteOffsetMetres=crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres;
+            value.maximumBoreRadiusMetres=crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres;
             result.push_back(value);
         }
         return result;
     }
-    bool World::isPassageBridgeSample(std::size_t passageIndex,std::size_t segmentIndex,
+    bool World::isPassageColumnSample(std::size_t passageIndex,std::size_t segmentIndex,
         Vec3d position) const
     {return impl_&&impl_->shapeReady.load(std::memory_order_acquire)&&impl_->shape
-        &&impl_->shape->IsResolvedPassageBridgeSample(passageIndex,segmentIndex,
+        &&impl_->shape->IsResolvedPassageColumnSample(passageIndex,segmentIndex,
+            {position.x,position.y,position.z});}
+    bool World::isPassageShortSpanSample(std::size_t passageIndex,std::size_t segmentIndex,
+        Vec3d position) const
+    {return impl_&&impl_->shapeReady.load(std::memory_order_acquire)&&impl_->shape
+        &&impl_->shape->IsResolvedPassageShortSpanSample(passageIndex,segmentIndex,
             {position.x,position.y,position.z});}
     std::string World::densityDispatchPathAt(Vec3d position) const
     { return impl_&&impl_->shapeReady.load(std::memory_order_acquire)&&impl_->shape
diff --git a/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/REPORT.md b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/REPORT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5de703e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/REPORT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+# VoxelForge L27 — passage voids inside rock columns
+
+## Owner summary
+
+The SurfaceWorld passage now drops from the ceiling (about −138 to −143 m) to terrain near
+−505 m inside one continuous, relief-bearing rock column. Its helix is cut inside the column; the
+~2 km route no longer crosses the open sky as a bridge. FloatingIslands uses the same field and
+planner path: the passage descends inside a column from its island to the bedrock floor. Styles 1
+and 3 have a second, smaller cap crossing, so they get a second column. The FI style-0 anchor stays
+at the L25 axis and remains connected. Its shared column is slimmer (11.25 m nominal radius vs
+L25's 13.25 m) with a larger measured wall margin (3.25 m vs 1.938 m), visible in the new
+exterior capture.
+
+All four styles in both recipes pass on Clang and GCC: 0 blocked, 0 unsupported, 0 grade failures,
+0 open-air violations, and naturalness passes. The new no-long-bridge audit detects the L26
+SurfaceWorld bridge as its negative control.
+
+## Column rule and size
+
+The shared planner samples native support every 0.5 m. A contiguous unsupported route run longer
+than **12.5 m** becomes one column; this is 2.5 times the former 5 m support-thickness limit. A
+shorter span is allowed only while grounded. The column is a solid signed-distance union in the
+shared composition field, so terrain queries, collision and meshes all see the same rock. The
+recipe still chooses passage style; the helix applies inside a column and that style continues
+outside it.
+
+The minimum planned outer radius is maximum route offset + bore radius + 2 m; the nominal profile
+adds 1.25 m. The base flares by up to 6 m and the ceiling end by up to 2 m; bounds extend 6 m
+below and 5 m above the unsupported run to overlap the native rock. Measured wall margin is 1.75 m
+minimum in SW and 3.0 m minimum in FI, above the 1.5 m requirement. SW columns span about
+363–368 m vertically and have nominal radii 19.744–27.027 m. FI main columns span about 53–57 m
+with nominal radii 9.251–12.746 m; styles 1 and 3 also have ~14 m cap columns.
+
+| Recipe / style | Unsupported route run(s) | Column nominal radius; audited profile radius | Minimum wall |
+|---|---:|---:|---:|
+| SW 0 Straight | 2,004.815 m; z −142.687 to −505.109 m | 27.027 m; 25.527–27.777 m | 1.75 m |
+| SW 1 Worm | 1,946.355 m; z −138.668 to −505.109 m | 24.187 m; 22.687–24.937 m | 1.75 m |
+| SW 2 Spiral | 1,957.892 m; z −137.967 to −505.138 m | 19.744 m; 18.244–20.744 m | 1.75 m |
+| SW 3 Cascading | 1,981.103 m; z −137.484 to −505.112 m | 22.791 m; 21.291–23.541 m | 1.75 m |
+| FI 0 Straight | 249.982 m; z −65.846 to −122.390 m | 11.250 m; 11.250–12.500 m | 3.25 m |
+| FI 1 Worm | 17.042 m and 249.965 m; z −61.574 to −122.416 m | 12.719 m and 12.746 m; 12.968–16.468 m and 12.746–13.996 m | 3.25 m |
+| FI 2 Spiral | 244.479 m; z −68.891 to −122.382 m | 9.251 m; 9.000–10.500 m | 3.00 m |
+| FI 3 Cascading | 17.955 m and 231.814 m; z −65.805 to −122.436 m | 11.250 m each; 11.250–14.000 m and 11.250–12.500 m | 3.25 m |
+
+The helix path measurements are length / turns / mean path radius / vertical pitch. SW styles 0–3
+measure **2,015.1 m / 16.88 / 18.96 m / 21.00 m**, **1,956.1 / 20.69 / 14.99 / 17.32 m**,
+**1,963.0 / 61.62 / 5.02 / 5.81 m**, and **1,987.2 / 21.63 / 14.50 / 16.59 m**. FI styles 0–3
+measure **254.0 m / 8.00 / 5.00 m / 5.78 m**, **254.0 / 7.99 / 4.97 / 5.72 m**,
+**246.9 / 12.95 / 3.00 / 3.31 m**, and **235.5 / 7.94 / 4.50 / 5.37 m**. FI styles 1 and 3
+also have short cap descents: respectively 22.1 m / 0.59 turns / 5.70 m radius / 6.71 m pitch,
+and 22.2 m / 0.75 turns / 4.54 m radius / 5.37 m pitch. Main helix grades are about 10.0–10.5°;
+the walkability audit reports zero grade failures.
+
+## Audits
+
+Clang and GCC each ran all eight recipe/style combinations. Every row has 0 blocked capsule
+samples, 0 unsupported samples, 0 grade failures, 0 open-air violations, connected column ends
+(2/2), 128/128 route-support samples for each main crossing, and passing walkability. The naturalness wall-relief audit measured 0.509–0.806 m against
+the 0.200 m minimum; flat runs were 0 m against the 8 m limit. The strict V3 layout validator
+accepted with zero issues and rejected its malformed controls 9/9.
+
+The no-long-bridge threshold is 12.5 m. SW has 0 m uncolumned span in all styles. FI's longest
+short grounded span is 4.464 m (style 0); every other span is shorter. The L26 SW bridge control
+(1,946–2,005 m unsupported) was detected in all four SW styles. The L24 ungated-support and L23
+smooth-wall naturalness controls were detected in all eight recipe/style rows. The 16 final matrix logs are
+`Saved/Linux/linux27-final-audit-{surface-world,floating-islands}-style{0,1,2,3}-{clang,gcc}.log`.
+
+## Captures
+
+All five JPEGs are 16:9 and below 300 KB in `captures/`.
+
+| Capture | View | Size | SHA-256 |
+|---|---|---:|---|
+| [sw-column-wide.jpg](captures/sw-column-wide.jpg) | Wide side section: ceiling, full column and local ground; 1280×720 | 27 KB | `63e621794a48747c5892b74d3313da1df93e95bc1fb5e23c511211f992023acf` |
+| [sw-column-base.jpg](captures/sw-column-base.jpg) | Close base flare into terrain; 1280×720 | 27 KB | `c4dbf7bcbd4962cf0e2c4f567cceec798deac8686a85cd02716ebd3c21db43bf` |
+| [sw-column-top.jpg](captures/sw-column-top.jpg) | Close ceiling blend and upper helix; 1280×720 | 30 KB | `fe83fbb0bf90ea51696f9f63129738eb55812c01bbbec65e7430b8a7e6b512ed` |
+| [sw-column-cutaway.jpg](captures/sw-column-cutaway.jpg) | Full-height cutaway through the helix; 1920×1080 | 60 KB | `8233e80035aac69dec7fd6d2e77a46e5798f627aefe216671d884bf84b339c40` |
+| [fi-anchor-pillar.jpg](captures/fi-anchor-pillar.jpg) | L27 FI anchor pillar from outside; 1280×720 | 21 KB | `5bb8ad6a0729818577764596d3fa9ccff9621b31217ee9d8e34401098e6b4ef6` |
+
+## Cost, determinism and compatibility
+
+The whole-view timing comparison alternated two L24 and two L27 Clang W12 runs per recipe. No
+prebuilt L24 executable was present, so I rebuilt it from local commit `cb9236c` with Clang 19 and
+FP contraction off under `Saved/Linux/l24-source/bin/linux/`.
+
+| Recipe | L24 whole-view seconds, two runs (mean) | L27 whole-view seconds, two runs (mean) | Change | Tiles, both versions |
+|---|---:|---:|---:|---:|
+| SurfaceWorld | 1.644 / 1.663 (1.654) | 2.207 / 2.252 (2.230) | +0.576 s (+34.8%) | 2,370 total; 960 full detail |
+| Floating Islands | 15.907 / 16.848 (16.378) | 19.403 / 19.649 (19.526) | +3.149 s (+19.2%) | 2,370 total; 960 full detail |
+
+No tiles were added. The L24 and L27 per-run logs are `Saved/Linux/linux27-cost-interleaved-*.log`.
+
+The L25 whole-view command produced identical hashes across Clang/GCC and W1/W8/W12. Hash order
+is density / mesh / payload / topology:
+
+| Recipe | L27 whole-view hash |
+|---|---|
+| SurfaceWorld | `117547e5e18c6847 / db5fa276315ff2d4 / b4e9d01d70413fea / 03caf881fa047f1c` |
+| Floating Islands | `70ab5bc87dd174d2 / 6f357f9085a496f0 / 08ce7d4e036da65a / eb5eef04a5cb85d9` |
+
+Full-detail hashes also match across the matrix: SW `ace56c8f205238ad / a9c603a1248de6b8 /
+ea55f1f4fcc6a894 / 5ea7bc78a1b678ae`; FI `ed550e0c8b182695 / 0e410a8e80a3e7f7 /
+0751926f0c67d8a4 / f01208bc2f7841ec`. Exact-query hashes (density / unclamped / detail / collision)
+are SW `c949c4df2ce6f9d9 / c949c4df2ce6f9d9 / 114c501e2d830d94 / e6011d3a248d4849` and FI
+`7b7c50ac24ccadcc / 7b7c50ac24ccadcc / efcba20c0c70c415 / e604823a249029bf`.
+
+The 24 m crossing processed 314 moving tiles and matched across both compilers:
+
+| Recipe | Moving-tile hash: density / mesh / payload / topology |
+|---|---|
+| SurfaceWorld | `fe83368d746bf44d / d4379e0f86fa5780 / 0d1d6659a251dcaf / 73940f21b0fdaf14` |
+| Floating Islands | `e3d0ea833bca4215 / f4b27f4bd1adbb07 / 8aedcdc86e5f21a2 / 323f880d952306e9` |
+
+L13 parity passed for both compilers and recipes: 8 page pairs, 14 higher-LOD pairs, one edit pair,
+782,026 exact-query samples, zero mismatches. At a 10 km off-route view, L9 proofs checked 6,896
+blocks / 9,178,576 samples with zero violations on both compilers. SW had 1,296 fallbacks and no
+unknown blocks; FI had 18,704 fallbacks, 17,408 unknown blocks and zero violations.
+
+At a 100 km SW view, L26 and L27 were bit-identical on Clang and GCC: full-detail hash
+`3148a6af10901e4d / 7025b8fc8d4636cd / ca0a8081022340bf / 1c49e72a6636ae99`, whole-view hash
+`a212129dc5f2bfcf / e9b3980b69c789bf / 785a394605885d1f / 8f7e3a55bf429175`, exact-query hash
+`482500abbe835b11 / c4948c7179963784 / efcba20c0c70c415 / 137e8f6c0b03a624`; LOD0–8 also match.
+At 10 km, the whole-view hash changes because the new column enters LOD8; full detail, exact queries
+and LOD0–7 remain identical.
+
+Headless binary SHA-256: Clang `81ae5a03765eb3937f53c10e8f8b82cf1b38d3e3b6240511a57e5d66d99a9755`,
+GCC `30c8927eee3c8c2ec0e7ff72228872435d19527719bedbb2399e6dcaff4819a4`. Rebuilt L24 Clang
+binary: `29bb68ed425b4770b1b4ddcc68996c5d680665014e7ab7ffb3c307523015cf0b`.
+
+## Changes and invariants
+
+The deterministic crossing planner and field composition are shared in
+`Standalone/Core/src/ShapeWorldInternal.h`. `VoxelForgeCore.h/.cpp` expose the void-crossing audit;
+`StreamBenchmarkPipeline.h` adds column, open-air and no-long-bridge audits with the L26 negative
+control. `FloatingIslandsInternal.h` retires the old special-case root for geometry 8, while
+`OwnerWorldLoader.h` and `WorldAssemblyPrototype.h` use the shared crossing plan and version.
+Geometry/evaluator versions are now 8/14; resolved-layout schema V3 is unchanged. The only Unreal
+edit is the matching geometry-version bump in `Source/VoxelForge/Private/VoxelForgeCoreAdapter.cpp`;
+Unreal was not available to compile here.
+L4 lazy caches, L7 shared cache, L9/L12 proofs, L11 readiness handling, L13 route parity, L18/L19
+ceilings and L21/L22 layout behavior remain unchanged. No async path was added.
+
+## Failed and retried runs
+
+- Two temporary Clang backtrace builds failed on `signal` namespace qualification; corrected before
+  the instrumentation was removed. The first SW style-0 audit segfaulted because the planner read
+  shared-field intervals before they were built; build order was corrected. An early SW style-1
+  iteration had 3,816 open-air violations and 869 blocked samples at the lower mouth; the carve
+  guard fixed it.
+- Early FI audit revisions mis-tagged segments and reported false open-air spans; corrected to use
+  the actual route ranges and physical field. FI style 2 briefly had two unsupported samples; the
+  seam extension fixed them. A 3 m cap left 13 FI style-0 open-air samples; the 5 m cap cleared
+  them. A relaxed tread guard introduced one SW style-1 blocked sample and was reverted.
+- A layout-only invocation without the required streaming flags exited 2. During capture setup,
+  `--hash` and `--data=` were rejected; the correct switches are `--stream-hash` and a positional
+  data path. Those were corrected. A helix-metrics helper first failed while formatting a list and
+  was rerun successfully.
+- The first close SW export at max clip level 1 hit the 160-million-node interval safety bound.
+  Two finer endpoint exports then grew past 1.2 GB without a final pipeline summary and were
+  stopped; the already-complete full-column cutaway mesh supplied the final base/top views. The
+  first wide camera hid the base; a cut-plane side view fixed it. The first FI close camera cropped
+  the endpoints and was moved back.
+- The first FI max-clip-level-3 export grew past 1.6 GB without a summary and was stopped. The
+  max-clip-level-8 retry completed in 21.7 s with a 104 MB mesh. The final capture is from that
+  L27 mesh. All rejected, stopped and successful export logs are in `Saved/Linux/`.
+
+No run exceeded 30 minutes or remained stuck for 15 minutes. Only the requested small JPEGs and
+this report were written under `Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/`; exports and logs
+remain in `Saved/Linux/`. The pre-existing untracked `Linux18/exports/` directory was left alone.
+No commit, push or stash was made.
+
+## Orchestrator review (Claude) — side branch
+
+- Look approved by me: `sw-column-wide.jpg` and `sw-column-cutaway.jpg` show one slender ceiling-to-ground
+  column with the helix inside; `sw-column-base.jpg` shows the base meeting the terrain with a natural crack
+  exit; `fi-anchor-pillar.jpg` shows a textured pillar with a flared base under the island.
+- **Blocking merge: cost.** Whole view +34.8% SW (1.654 → 2.230 s) and +19.2% FI with no new tiles. A local
+  feature must cost locally. L28: bound column/helix evaluation spatially (feature lists / AABB culling), then
+  merge `wip/l25-helix` into `assembler/world`.
diff --git a/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/fi-anchor-pillar.jpg b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/fi-anchor-pillar.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b315af
Binary files /dev/null and b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/fi-anchor-pillar.jpg differ
diff --git a/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-base.jpg b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-base.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1530ee5
Binary files /dev/null and b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-base.jpg differ
diff --git a/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-cutaway.jpg b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-cutaway.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..406f0d3
Binary files /dev/null and b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-cutaway.jpg differ
diff --git a/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-top.jpg b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-top.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..727443b
Binary files /dev/null and b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-top.jpg differ
diff --git a/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-wide.jpg b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-wide.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..020e6cf
Binary files /dev/null and b/Standalone/Research/WorldAssemblerM3/Linux27/captures/sw-column-wide.jpg differ
diff --git a/Standalone/Source/OwnerWorldLoader.h b/Standalone/Source/OwnerWorldLoader.h
index b376838..1aabf11 100644
--- a/Standalone/Source/OwnerWorldLoader.h
+++ b/Standalone/Source/OwnerWorldLoader.h
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ struct FStandaloneParitySample
     int32 StrateIndex = INDEX_NONE;
 };
 
-struct FStandalonePassageBridgeRange
+struct FStandalonePassageVoidCrossing
 {
     std::size_t passageIndex=0;
     std::size_t firstSegment=0;
@@ -33,12 +33,24 @@ struct FStandalonePassageBridgeRange
     double unsupportedLengthMetres=0.0;
     std::array<double,4> startPoint{};
     std::array<double,4> endPoint{};
+    bool needsColumn=false;
+    bool connectedAtStart=false;
+    bool connectedAtEnd=false;
+    std::int64_t centerXSubvoxels=0;
+    std::int64_t centerYSubvoxels=0;
+    std::int64_t topZSubvoxels=0;
+    std::int64_t bottomZSubvoxels=0;
+    std::int64_t minimumRadiusSubvoxels=0;
+    std::int64_t nominalRadiusSubvoxels=0;
+    std::int64_t maximumRadiusSubvoxels=0;
+    double maximumRouteOffsetMetres=0.0;
+    double maximumBoreRadiusMetres=0.0;
 };
 
-struct FStandalonePassageBridgeCache
+struct FStandalonePassageVoidCrossingCache
 {
     std::mutex mutex;
-    std::unordered_map<std::string,std::vector<FStandalonePassageBridgeRange>> byLayout;
+    std::unordered_map<std::string,std::vector<FStandalonePassageVoidCrossing>> byLayout;
 };
 
 struct FStandaloneOwnerWorld
@@ -66,8 +78,8 @@ struct FStandaloneOwnerWorld
     std::uint32_t CoreVoxelSizeMicrons = 250000;
     std::uint32_t StrateLayoutChunkSizeMicrometres = 8000000;
     std::int64_t StrateLayoutChunkWidthSubvoxels = 8192;
-    std::shared_ptr<FStandalonePassageBridgeCache> PassageBridgeCache =
-        std::make_shared<FStandalonePassageBridgeCache>();
+    std::shared_ptr<FStandalonePassageVoidCrossingCache> PassageVoidCrossingCache =
+        std::make_shared<FStandalonePassageVoidCrossingCache>();
 };
 
 namespace StandaloneOwnerLoader
diff --git a/Standalone/Source/StreamBenchmarkPipeline.h b/Standalone/Source/StreamBenchmarkPipeline.h
index f659e82..d3ce0dc 100644
--- a/Standalone/Source/StreamBenchmarkPipeline.h
+++ b/Standalone/Source/StreamBenchmarkPipeline.h
@@ -726,7 +726,8 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
             }
             struct FPassageOpenAirAudit
             {
-                std::uint64_t supportSamples=0,violations=0,legacyViolations=0,bridgeSamples=0;
+                std::uint64_t supportSamples=0,violations=0,legacyViolations=0;
+                std::uint64_t columnSamples=0,shortSpanSamples=0;
                 std::uint64_t routeSupportSamples=0,routeSupportViolations=0;
                 std::array<std::array<double,4>,8> firstViolations{};
                 std::size_t firstViolationCount=0;
@@ -773,10 +774,14 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                         ++audit.legacyViolations;
                     if(nativeDensity>=0.0f&&passageDensity<0.0f)
                     {
-                        const bool connectedBridge=!routeSupport
+                        const bool connectedColumn=!routeSupport
                             &&passageSegment!=std::numeric_limits<std::size_t>::max()
-                            &&Field.isPassageBridgeSample(passageIndex,passageSegment,sample);
-                        if(connectedBridge){++audit.bridgeSamples;return;}
+                            &&Field.isPassageColumnSample(passageIndex,passageSegment,sample);
+                        if(connectedColumn){++audit.columnSamples;return;}
+                        const bool groundedShortSpan=!routeSupport
+                            &&passageSegment!=std::numeric_limits<std::size_t>::max()
+                            &&Field.isPassageShortSpanSample(passageIndex,passageSegment,sample);
+                        if(groundedShortSpan){++audit.shortSpanSamples;return;}
                         audit.routeSupportViolations+=routeSupport;
                         if(audit.firstViolationCount<audit.firstViolations.size())
                             audit.firstViolations[audit.firstViolationCount++]={xMetres,yMetres,
@@ -894,20 +899,23 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                 }
                 return audit;
             };
-            struct FPassageBridgeAudit
+            struct FPassageColumnAudit
             {
-                std::uint64_t spans=0,connectedEnds=0,crossSections=0,crossSectionFailures=0;
-                double minimumThicknessMetres=std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity();
-                double maximumThicknessMetres=0.0;
-                double thicknessReliefPeakToPeakMetres=0.0;
+                std::uint64_t columns=0,shortSpans=0,connectedEnds=0,routeSections=0;
+                std::uint64_t routeSectionFailures=0,wallSections=0,wallFailures=0;
+                double minimumWallMetres=std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity();
+                double minimumSurfaceRadiusMetres=std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity();
+                double maximumSurfaceRadiusMetres=0.0;
+                double surfaceRadiusReliefMetres=0.0;
+                double longestShortSpanMetres=0.0;
                 bool passed=true;
             };
-            const auto auditPassageBridges=[&](const VoxelForgeCore::World& Field,
+            const auto auditPassageColumns=[&](const VoxelForgeCore::World& Field,
                 const VoxelForgeCore::World& Native,
                 const VoxelForgeCore::ResolvedLayoutPassageV1& passage,
                 std::size_t passageIndex)
             {
-                FPassageBridgeAudit audit;
+                FPassageColumnAudit audit;
                 const double qMetres=coreMetres
                     /VoxelForgeCore::WorldAssemblySubvoxelsPerVoxel;
                 constexpr std::array<std::array<double,2>,5> supportOffsets{{
@@ -928,37 +936,67 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                     }
                     return supported>=3;
                 };
-                const auto bridgeSolidAt=[&](std::size_t segment,double x,double y,double z)
+                const auto columnSolidAt=[&](std::size_t segment,double x,double y,double z)
                 {
-                    return Field.isPassageBridgeSample(passageIndex,segment,
+                    return Field.isPassageColumnSample(passageIndex,segment,
                         {x/coreMetres,y/coreMetres,z/coreMetres});
                 };
-                const auto thicknessAt=[&](std::size_t segment,double x,double y,double floor)
+                const auto shortSpanSolidAt=[&](std::size_t segment,double x,double y,double z)
                 {
-                    double thickness=0.0;
-                    for(double depth=0.125;depth<=6.0+1.0e-6;depth+=0.125)
-                    {
-                        if(!bridgeSolidAt(segment,x,y,floor-depth))break;
-                        thickness=depth;
-                    }
-                    return thickness;
+                    return Field.isPassageShortSpanSample(passageIndex,segment,
+                        {x/coreMetres,y/coreMetres,z/coreMetres});
                 };
-                for(const auto& range:Field.passageBridgeRanges())
+                const auto crossings=Field.passageVoidCrossings();
+                for(const auto& crossing:crossings)
                 {
-                    if(range.passageIndex!=passageIndex
-                        ||range.lastSegment+1>=passage.controlPoints.size())continue;
-                    ++audit.spans;
-                    const bool connectedStart=endpointConnected(range.startPointSubvoxels);
-                    const bool connectedEnd=endpointConnected(range.endPointSubvoxels);
+                    if(crossing.passageIndex!=passageIndex)continue;
+                    const bool connectedStart=endpointConnected(crossing.startPointSubvoxels);
+                    const bool connectedEnd=endpointConnected(crossing.endPointSubvoxels);
+                    if(!crossing.needsColumn)
+                    {
+                        ++audit.shortSpans;
+                        audit.longestShortSpanMetres=std::max(audit.longestShortSpanMetres,
+                            crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres);
+                        const bool shortSpanPass=connectedStart&&connectedEnd
+                            &&crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres<=12.5
+                            &&crossing.lastSegment+1<passage.controlPoints.size();
+                        audit.passed&=shortSpanPass;
+                        std::printf("[PassageGroundedShortSpanAudit] id=%s segments=%zu..%zu length_m=%.3f threshold_m=12.500 connected=%d/2 status=%s\n",
+                            passage.stableId.c_str(),crossing.firstSegment,crossing.lastSegment,
+                            crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres,
+                            static_cast<int>(connectedStart)+static_cast<int>(connectedEnd),
+                            shortSpanPass?"PASS":"FAIL");
+                        const std::size_t segment=std::min(crossing.firstSegment,
+                            passage.controlPoints.size()-2);
+                        const auto& a=passage.controlPoints[segment];
+                        const auto& b=passage.controlPoints[segment+1];
+                        const double x=(qToMetres(a.positionSubvoxels[0])
+                            +qToMetres(b.positionSubvoxels[0]))*0.5;
+                        const double y=(qToMetres(a.positionSubvoxels[1])
+                            +qToMetres(b.positionSubvoxels[1]))*0.5;
+                        const double z=(qToMetres(a.positionSubvoxels[2])
+                            +qToMetres(b.positionSubvoxels[2]))*0.5
+                            -qToMetres(a.radiusSubvoxels+b.radiusSubvoxels)*0.5+0.13;
+                        audit.passed&=shortSpanSolidAt(segment,x,y,z-0.25);
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    if(crossing.lastSegment+1>=passage.controlPoints.size())
+                    {audit.passed=false;continue;}
+                    ++audit.columns;
                     audit.connectedEnds+=connectedStart+connectedEnd;
-                    const std::size_t segmentCount=range.lastSegment-range.firstSegment+1;
-                    const std::size_t probeCount=std::min<std::size_t>(256,segmentCount);
-                    double spanMinimumThickness=std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity();
-                    double spanMaximumThickness=0.0;
-                    std::uint64_t spanCrossSections=0,spanCrossSectionFailures=0;
+                    const double axisX=qToMetres(crossing.columnAxisSubvoxels[0]);
+                    const double axisY=qToMetres(crossing.columnAxisSubvoxels[1]);
+                    const double minimumRadius=qToMetres(crossing.columnMinimumRadiusSubvoxels);
+                    const double maximumRadius=qToMetres(crossing.columnMaximumRadiusSubvoxels);
+                    const double minimumWall=minimumRadius-crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres
+                        -crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres-0.50;
+                    audit.minimumWallMetres=std::min(audit.minimumWallMetres,minimumWall);
+                    const std::size_t segmentCount=crossing.lastSegment-crossing.firstSegment+1;
+                    const std::size_t probeCount=std::min<std::size_t>(128,segmentCount);
+                    std::uint64_t crossingRouteFailures=0,crossingWallFailures=0;
                     for(std::size_t probe=0;probe<probeCount;++probe)
                     {
-                        const std::size_t segment=range.firstSegment
+                        const std::size_t segment=crossing.firstSegment
                             +std::min(segmentCount-1,(probe*segmentCount)/probeCount);
                         const auto& a=passage.controlPoints[segment];
                         const auto& b=passage.controlPoints[segment+1];
@@ -973,42 +1011,96 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                         const double radius=(qToMetres(a.radiusSubvoxels)
                             +qToMetres(b.radiusSubvoxels))*0.5;
                         const double floor=z-radius+0.13;
-                        const double thickness=thicknessAt(segment,x,y,floor);
-                        spanMinimumThickness=std::min(spanMinimumThickness,thickness);
-                        spanMaximumThickness=std::max(spanMaximumThickness,thickness);
-                        audit.minimumThicknessMetres=std::min(audit.minimumThicknessMetres,thickness);
-                        audit.maximumThicknessMetres=std::max(audit.maximumThicknessMetres,thickness);
-                        const double dx=bx-ax,dy=by-ay,horizontal=std::hypot(dx,dy);
-                        if(horizontal<=1.0e-6)continue;
-                        const double nx=dy/horizontal,ny=-dx/horizontal;
-                        bool crossSectionSolid=true;
-                        for(const double offset:{-2.5,0.0,2.5})
-                            crossSectionSolid&=bridgeSolidAt(segment,x+nx*offset,
-                                y+ny*offset,floor-2.0);
-                        ++audit.crossSections;
-                        ++spanCrossSections;
-                        spanCrossSectionFailures+=!crossSectionSolid;
-                        audit.crossSectionFailures+=!crossSectionSolid;
+                        const VoxelForgeCore::Vec3d supportPoint{
+                            x/coreMetres,y/coreMetres,(floor-2.0)/coreMetres};
+                        const bool solidUnderRoute=columnSolidAt(segment,x,y,floor-2.0)
+                            ||Native.densityAt(supportPoint)<0.0f;
+                        ++audit.routeSections;
+                        audit.routeSectionFailures+=!solidUnderRoute;
+                        crossingRouteFailures+=!solidUnderRoute;
+                        const double radial=std::hypot(x-axisX,y-axisY);
+                        const double wallRadius=radial+radius+1.5;
+                        const double outwardX=radial>1.0e-6?(x-axisX)/radial:1.0;
+                        const double outwardY=radial>1.0e-6?(y-axisY)/radial:0.0;
+                        const bool wallSolid=columnSolidAt(segment,
+                            axisX+outwardX*wallRadius,axisY+outwardY*wallRadius,z);
+                        ++audit.wallSections;
+                        audit.wallFailures+=!wallSolid;
+                        crossingWallFailures+=!wallSolid;
                     }
-                    const double relief=std::isfinite(spanMinimumThickness)
-                        ?spanMaximumThickness-spanMinimumThickness:0.0;
-                    audit.thicknessReliefPeakToPeakMetres=std::max(
-                        audit.thicknessReliefPeakToPeakMetres,relief);
-                    const bool spanPass=connectedStart&&connectedEnd
-                        &&spanCrossSections>=3&&spanCrossSectionFailures==0
-                        &&spanMinimumThickness>=2.75
-                        &&spanMaximumThickness<=6.5
-                        &&audit.thicknessReliefPeakToPeakMetres>=0.20;
-                    audit.passed&=spanPass;
-                    std::printf("[PassageRockBridgeAudit] id=%s segments=%zu..%zu gap_m=%.3f connected_ends=%d/2 width_at_least_m=5.000 cross_sections=%llu/%llu thickness_m=%.3f..%.3f relief_p2p_m=%.3f status=%s\n",
-                        passage.stableId.c_str(),range.firstSegment,range.lastSegment,
-                        range.unsupportedLengthMetres,static_cast<int>(connectedStart)
-                            +static_cast<int>(connectedEnd),
-                        static_cast<unsigned long long>(spanCrossSections-spanCrossSectionFailures),
-                        static_cast<unsigned long long>(spanCrossSections),
-                        std::isfinite(spanMinimumThickness)?spanMinimumThickness:0.0,
-                        spanMaximumThickness,relief,
-                        spanPass?"PASS":"FAIL");
+                    double crossingMinimumSurfaceRadius=std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity();
+                    double crossingMaximumSurfaceRadius=0.0;
+                    std::array<double,6> meanRadiusByHeight{};
+                    std::size_t heightSamples=0;
+                    constexpr double RayStepMetres=0.25;
+                    constexpr std::array<double,6> HeightFractions{{0.25,0.35,0.45,0.55,0.65,0.75}};
+                    constexpr std::size_t DirectionCount=16;
+                    const double topMetres=qToMetres(crossing.columnTopZSubvoxels);
+                    const double bottomMetres=qToMetres(crossing.columnBottomZSubvoxels);
+                    const double rayStart=crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres
+                        +crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres+0.75;
+                    for(const double heightFraction:HeightFractions)
+                    {
+                        const double z=topMetres+(bottomMetres-topMetres)*heightFraction;
+                        double heightMeanRadius=0.0;
+                        std::uint64_t heightRayCount=0;
+                        for(std::size_t direction=0;direction<DirectionCount;++direction)
+                        {
+                            const double angle=2.0*3.14159265358979323846
+                                *direction/DirectionCount;
+                            double lastSolidRadius=0.0;
+                            bool enteredColumn=false;
+                            const std::size_t raySteps=static_cast<std::size_t>(std::ceil(
+                                (maximumRadius+2.0-rayStart)/RayStepMetres));
+                            for(std::size_t step=0;step<=raySteps;++step)
+                            {
+                                const double rayRadius=rayStart+step*RayStepMetres;
+                                const VoxelForgeCore::Vec3d point{
+                                    (axisX+rayRadius*std::cos(angle))/coreMetres,
+                                    (axisY+rayRadius*std::sin(angle))/coreMetres,
+                                    z/coreMetres};
+                                if(Field.densityAt(point)<0.0f)
+                                {enteredColumn=true;lastSolidRadius=rayRadius;}
+                                else if(enteredColumn)break;
+                            }
+                            if(!enteredColumn)continue;
+                            heightMeanRadius+=lastSolidRadius;
+                            ++heightRayCount;
+                            crossingMinimumSurfaceRadius=std::min(crossingMinimumSurfaceRadius,
+                                lastSolidRadius);
+                            crossingMaximumSurfaceRadius=std::max(crossingMaximumSurfaceRadius,
+                                lastSolidRadius);
+                        }
+                        if(heightRayCount==0)continue;
+                        meanRadiusByHeight[heightSamples++]=heightMeanRadius/heightRayCount;
+                    }
+                    const double crossingSurfaceRelief=heightSamples>=2
+                        ?*std::max_element(meanRadiusByHeight.begin(),
+                            meanRadiusByHeight.begin()+heightSamples)
+                            -*std::min_element(meanRadiusByHeight.begin(),
+                                meanRadiusByHeight.begin()+heightSamples):0.0;
+                    audit.minimumSurfaceRadiusMetres=std::min(audit.minimumSurfaceRadiusMetres,
+                        crossingMinimumSurfaceRadius);
+                    audit.maximumSurfaceRadiusMetres=std::max(audit.maximumSurfaceRadiusMetres,
+                        crossingMaximumSurfaceRadius);
+                    audit.surfaceRadiusReliefMetres=std::max(audit.surfaceRadiusReliefMetres,
+                        crossingSurfaceRelief);
+                    const double measuredWall=crossingMinimumSurfaceRadius
+                        -crossing.maximumRouteOffsetMetres-crossing.maximumBoreRadiusMetres;
+                    const bool columnPass=connectedStart&&connectedEnd
+                        &&minimumWall>=1.50&&crossingRouteFailures==0
+                        &&crossingWallFailures==0&&std::isfinite(measuredWall)
+                        &&measuredWall>=1.50&&crossingSurfaceRelief>=0.20;
+                    audit.passed&=columnPass;
+                    std::printf("[PassageRockColumnAudit] id=%s segments=%zu..%zu span_m=%.3f axis_m=(%.3f,%.3f) connected=%d/2 route_support=%llu/%llu wall_margin_m=%.3f threshold_m=1.500 radii_m=%.3f..%.3f relief_p2p_m=%.3f nominal_radius_m=%.3f status=%s\n",
+                        passage.stableId.c_str(),crossing.firstSegment,crossing.lastSegment,
+                        crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres,axisX,axisY,
+                        static_cast<int>(connectedStart)+static_cast<int>(connectedEnd),
+                        static_cast<unsigned long long>(probeCount-crossingRouteFailures),
+                        static_cast<unsigned long long>(probeCount),measuredWall,
+                        crossingMinimumSurfaceRadius,crossingMaximumSurfaceRadius,
+                        crossingSurfaceRelief,qToMetres(crossing.columnNominalRadiusSubvoxels),
+                        columnPass?"PASS":"FAIL");
                 }
                 return audit;
             };
@@ -1022,6 +1114,7 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                         Assembly->floatingIslands.end(),[&](const auto& value)
                             {return value.strateIndex==stratum.strateIndex;});
                     if(anchor==stratum.anchors.end()||islandPlan==Assembly->floatingIslands.end())continue;
+                    if(islandPlan->manifest.recipe.geometryVersion>=8)continue;
                     const auto ordinal=islandPlan->manifest.recipe.anchorIslandOrdinal;
                     if(ordinal>=islandPlan->manifest.plan.islands.size())continue;
                     const auto& anchorIsland=islandPlan->manifest.plan.islands[ordinal];
@@ -1110,9 +1203,34 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
             };
             std::uint64_t passageCount=0,passagePasses=0,blockedControls=0,naturalPasses=0;
             std::uint64_t openAirViolations=0,openAirLegacyViolations=0,openAirSamples=0;
-            std::uint64_t openAirAudits=0,openAirBridgeSamples=0,bridgeSpans=0,
-                bridgeConnectedEnds=0;
-            bool bridgeAuditsPassed=true;
+            std::uint64_t openAirAudits=0,openAirColumnSamples=0,openAirShortSpanSamples=0;
+            std::uint64_t columnCrossings=0,shortGroundedSpans=0,columnConnectedEnds=0;
+            std::uint64_t columnRouteFailures=0,columnWallFailures=0;
+            double longestUncolumnedSpanMetres=0.0,longestShortSpanMetres=0.0;
+            double l26LegacyBridgeSpanMetres=0.0;
+            bool columnAuditsPassed=true,noLongBridgeAuditPassed=true;
+            bool l26NegativeControlApplicable=false;
+            const auto plannedVoidCrossings=Shape.passageVoidCrossings();
+            for(const auto& crossing:plannedVoidCrossings)
+            {
+                if(crossing.needsColumn)continue;
+                longestUncolumnedSpanMetres=std::max(longestUncolumnedSpanMetres,
+                    crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres);
+            }
+            for(std::size_t passageIndex=0;passageIndex<ResolvedLayout->passages.size();
+                ++passageIndex)
+            {
+                const auto& passage=ResolvedLayout->passages[passageIndex];
+                const auto* upper=findStratum(passage.upperStrateIndex);
+                const auto* lower=findStratum(passage.lowerStrateIndex);
+                if(!upper||!lower||lower->generatorKind!="SurfaceWorld"
+                    ||upper->generatorKind=="FloatingIslands")continue;
+                l26NegativeControlApplicable=true;
+                for(const auto& crossing:plannedVoidCrossings)
+                    if(crossing.passageIndex==passageIndex)
+                        l26LegacyBridgeSpanMetres=std::max(l26LegacyBridgeSpanMetres,
+                            crossing.unsupportedLengthMetres);
+            }
             for(std::size_t passageIndex=0;passageIndex<ResolvedLayout->passages.size();++passageIndex)
             {
                 const auto& passage=ResolvedLayout->passages[passageIndex];
@@ -1131,15 +1249,21 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                 const FPassageNaturalnessAudit naturalAudit=auditPassageNaturalness(Shape,passage);
                 const FPassageOpenAirAudit openAirAudit=auditPassageOpenAir(Shape,blockedWorld,
                     passage,passageIndex);
-                const FPassageBridgeAudit bridgeAudit=auditPassageBridges(Shape,blockedWorld,
+                const FPassageColumnAudit columnAudit=auditPassageColumns(Shape,blockedWorld,
                     passage,passageIndex);
                 openAirSamples+=openAirAudit.supportSamples;
                 openAirViolations+=openAirAudit.violations;
                 openAirLegacyViolations+=openAirAudit.legacyViolations;
-                openAirBridgeSamples+=openAirAudit.bridgeSamples;
-                bridgeSpans+=bridgeAudit.spans;
-                bridgeConnectedEnds+=bridgeAudit.connectedEnds;
-                bridgeAuditsPassed&=bridgeAudit.passed;
+                openAirColumnSamples+=openAirAudit.columnSamples;
+                openAirShortSpanSamples+=openAirAudit.shortSpanSamples;
+                columnCrossings+=columnAudit.columns;
+                shortGroundedSpans+=columnAudit.shortSpans;
+                columnConnectedEnds+=columnAudit.connectedEnds;
+                columnRouteFailures+=columnAudit.routeSectionFailures;
+                columnWallFailures+=columnAudit.wallFailures;
+                longestShortSpanMetres=std::max(longestShortSpanMetres,
+                    columnAudit.longestShortSpanMetres);
+                columnAuditsPassed&=columnAudit.passed;
                 ++openAirAudits;
                 const auto radialSquared=[](const std::array<std::int64_t,3>& p)
                 {return p[0]*p[0]+p[1]*p[1];};
@@ -1167,10 +1291,11 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                     static_cast<unsigned long long>(naturalAudit.wallSamples),
                     static_cast<unsigned long long>(naturalAudit.missingWallSamples),
                     naturalAudit.passed?"PASS":"FAIL");
-                std::printf("[PassageOpenAirAudit] id=%s support_samples=%llu violations=%llu bridge_samples=%llu l24_ungated_violations=%llu route_support_samples=%llu route_support_violations=%llu spacing_m=%.3f status=%s\n",
+                std::printf("[PassageOpenAirAudit] id=%s support_samples=%llu violations=%llu column_samples=%llu short_span_samples=%llu l24_ungated_violations=%llu route_support_samples=%llu route_support_violations=%llu spacing_m=%.3f status=%s\n",
                     passage.stableId.c_str(),static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.supportSamples),
                     static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.violations),
-                    static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.bridgeSamples),
+                    static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.columnSamples),
+                    static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.shortSpanSamples),
                     static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.legacyViolations),
                     static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.routeSupportSamples),
                     static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudit.routeSupportViolations),
@@ -1229,12 +1354,12 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                     const VoxelForgeCore::Vec3d nativePosition{sample[0]/coreMetres,
                         sample[1]/coreMetres,sample[2]/coreMetres};
                     const float nativeDensity=blockedWorld.densityAt(nativePosition);
-                    const bool bridgeVolume=Shape.isPassageBridgeSample(passageIndex,
+                    const bool passageColumn=Shape.isPassageColumnSample(passageIndex,
                         nearestSegment,nativePosition);
-                    std::printf("[ResolvedPassageAuditSample] id=%s kind=blocked xyz_m=(%.3f,%.3f,%.3f) density=%.6f native_density=%.6f segment=%zu t=%.3f passage_segment=%zu passage_sdf_m=%.3f bridge_volume=%d native_path=%s\n",
+                    std::printf("[ResolvedPassageAuditSample] id=%s kind=blocked xyz_m=(%.3f,%.3f,%.3f) density=%.6f native_density=%.6f segment=%zu t=%.3f passage_segment=%zu passage_sdf_m=%.3f passage_column=%d native_path=%s\n",
                         passage.stableId.c_str(),sample[0],sample[1],sample[2],sample[3],
                         nativeDensity,nearestSegment,nearestT,nearestPassageSegment,
-                        nearestPassageSdf,bridgeVolume?1:0,
+                        nearestPassageSdf,passageColumn?1:0,
                         blockedWorld.densityDispatchPathAt(nativePosition).c_str());
                 }
                 for(std::size_t i=0;i<passageAudit.firstUnsupportedCount;++i)
@@ -1255,15 +1380,15 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
                     const double firstZ=(sample[2]-0.125)/coreMetres;
                     const VoxelForgeCore::Vec3d bridgeProbe{sample[0]/coreMetres,
                         sample[1]/coreMetres,(sample[2]-0.25)/coreMetres};
-                    const bool bridgeAtSupport=Shape.isPassageBridgeSample(passageIndex,
+                    const bool columnAtSupport=Shape.isPassageColumnSample(passageIndex,
                         segment,bridgeProbe);
-                    std::printf("[ResolvedPassageSupportSegment] id=%s segment=%zu route_z_m=%.3f..%.3f centers=%llu unsupported=%llu native_unsupported=%llu first_foot_m=(%.3f,%.3f,%.3f) bridge_at_d025=%d native_support_probes=%u/5 native_density_d0125_d1_d2_d4=(%.6f,%.6f,%.6f,%.6f) native_path=%s\n",
+                    std::printf("[ResolvedPassageSupportSegment] id=%s segment=%zu route_z_m=%.3f..%.3f centers=%llu unsupported=%llu native_unsupported=%llu first_foot_m=(%.3f,%.3f,%.3f) column_at_d025=%d native_support_probes=%u/5 native_density_d0125_d1_d2_d4=(%.6f,%.6f,%.6f,%.6f) native_path=%s\n",
                         passage.stableId.c_str(),segment,
                         std::min(a[2],b[2])*coreMetres,std::max(a[2],b[2])*coreMetres,
                         static_cast<unsigned long long>(item.centers),
                         static_cast<unsigned long long>(item.unsupported),
                         static_cast<unsigned long long>(item.nativeUnsupported),
-                        sample[0],sample[1],sample[2],bridgeAtSupport?1:0,
+                        sample[0],sample[1],sample[2],columnAtSupport?1:0,
                         item.firstNativeSupportedProbes,item.firstNativeDensities[0],item.firstNativeDensities[1],
                         item.firstNativeDensities[2],item.firstNativeDensities[3],
                         blockedWorld.densityDispatchPathAt({firstX,firstY,firstZ}).c_str());
@@ -1429,19 +1554,37 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
             std::printf("[PassageOpenAirNegativeControl] source=L24_ungated_support unsupported_samples=%llu detected=%s\n",
                 static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirLegacyViolations),
                 l24OpenAirControlDetected?"true":"false");
-            std::printf("[PassageOpenAirAuditSummary] interfaces=%llu samples=%llu violations=%llu bridge_samples=%llu l24_negative_control=%s status=%s\n",
+            std::printf("[PassageOpenAirAuditSummary] interfaces=%llu samples=%llu violations=%llu column_samples=%llu short_span_samples=%llu l24_negative_control=%s status=%s\n",
                 static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirAudits),
                 static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirSamples),
                 static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirViolations),
-                static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirBridgeSamples),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirColumnSamples),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(openAirShortSpanSamples),
                 l24OpenAirControlDetected?"DETECTED":"MISSED",
                 openAirAudits==passageCount&&openAirViolations==0&&l24OpenAirControlDetected
                     ?"PASS":"FAIL");
-            std::printf("[PassageRockBridgeAuditSummary] spans=%llu connected_ends=%llu/%llu status=%s\n",
-                static_cast<unsigned long long>(bridgeSpans),
-                static_cast<unsigned long long>(bridgeConnectedEnds),
-                static_cast<unsigned long long>(bridgeSpans*2),
-                bridgeAuditsPassed?"PASS":"FAIL");
+            const bool l26NoLongBridgeControlDetected=l26NegativeControlApplicable
+                &&l26LegacyBridgeSpanMetres>12.5;
+            const bool l26NoLongBridgeControlPass=!l26NegativeControlApplicable
+                ||l26NoLongBridgeControlDetected;
+            noLongBridgeAuditPassed=longestUncolumnedSpanMetres<=12.5
+                &&l26NoLongBridgeControlPass;
+            std::printf("[PassageNoLongBridgeNegativeControl] source=L26_SurfaceWorld_bridge applicable=%s longest_uncolumned_m=%.3f threshold_m=12.500 detected=%s\n",
+                l26NegativeControlApplicable?"true":"false",l26LegacyBridgeSpanMetres,
+                l26NoLongBridgeControlDetected?"true":"false");
+            std::printf("[PassageNoLongBridgeAudit] columns=%llu short_grounded_spans=%llu longest_uncolumned_m=%.3f threshold_m=12.500 longest_short_span_m=%.3f l26_negative_control=%s status=%s\n",
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(columnCrossings),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(shortGroundedSpans),longestUncolumnedSpanMetres,
+                longestShortSpanMetres,l26NegativeControlApplicable
+                    ?(l26NoLongBridgeControlDetected?"DETECTED":"MISSED"):"NOT_APPLICABLE",
+                noLongBridgeAuditPassed?"PASS":"FAIL");
+            std::printf("[PassageRockColumnAuditSummary] columns=%llu connected_ends=%llu/%llu short_spans=%llu wall_or_support_failures=%llu status=%s\n",
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(columnCrossings),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(columnConnectedEnds),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(columnCrossings*2),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(shortGroundedSpans),
+                static_cast<unsigned long long>(columnRouteFailures+columnWallFailures),
+                columnAuditsPassed?"PASS":"FAIL");
             const bool l23SmoothWallDetected=!looksNatural(0.0,0.0);
             std::printf("[PassageNaturalnessNegativeControl] source=L23_smooth_unrelieved_wall relief_p2p_m=0.000 threshold_m=%.3f detected=%s\n",
                 MinimumWallReliefMetres,l23SmoothWallDetected?"true":"false");
@@ -1452,7 +1595,7 @@ namespace StandaloneStreamBenchmark
             const bool auditPassed=passageCount>0&&passagePasses==passageCount
                 &&naturalPasses==passageCount&&l23SmoothWallDetected
                 &&openAirAudits==passageCount&&openAirViolations==0&&l24OpenAirControlDetected
-                &&bridgeAuditsPassed
+                &&columnAuditsPassed&&noLongBridgeAuditPassed
                 &&routePasses>0&&routePasses==routeWalkPasses&&routePasses==routeBindings
                 &&routeBindingFailures==0
                 &&blockedCompiled&&blockedControls==passageCount;
diff --git a/Standalone/Source/WorldAssemblyPrototype.h b/Standalone/Source/WorldAssemblyPrototype.h
index 4c1a010..e7d3eb3 100644
--- a/Standalone/Source/WorldAssemblyPrototype.h
+++ b/Standalone/Source/WorldAssemblyPrototype.h
@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ namespace StandaloneWorldAssemblyPrototype
             FIntVector(0,0,islandSlot->TopChunkZ));
         const FStratePassageConfig& passage=islandSlot->Definition->PassageConfig;
         recipe.seed=static_cast<std::uint32_t>(owner.Seed);
-        recipe.geometryVersion=7;
+        recipe.geometryVersion=8;
         recipe.ownerVoxelSizeMicrons=owner.OwnerVoxelSizeMicrons;
         recipe.coreVoxelSizeMicrons=owner.CoreVoxelSizeMicrons;
         recipe.ownerToCoreScaleNumerator=owner.OwnerVoxelSizeMicrons/static_cast<std::uint32_t>(divisor);