Bridges
We've always been a pretty big fan of bridges. Today, the French opened The World's Tallest. Suddenly we want to go to France. Instead, however, we decided to Blog about some of our favorite bridges.
Tacoma Narrows
Located near Tacoma WA., this bridge is perhaps better known as Galloping Girtie. The suspension bridge was built in such a way that the wind in the narrows would cause vibrations in the steel.
From the day it opened, the steel in the bridge would bend and sway. Finally, the virbrations were too much for the bridge and the stress and collapsed. Interestingly enough, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is of the same design, but the vibrations are not nearly as bad.
The Tappan Zee Bridge
The Tappan Zee Bridge [aka "Tappan Zee Ass"] connects the New York State Thruway to i-95 over the Hudson river. This is a hulking sprawling, ugly bridge that causes congestion and has a high toll. But it has a special place in our heart as being "on the way" to scenic Cape Cod. [that is of course, if you are headed north from Northern New Jersey].
As we said, it is Not So Attractive and too tiny. The center lane actually has a mobile divider that expands one side of the bridge or the other side, depending on whether it is the morning rush or evening rush. To say the least, the bridge is too small.
But as it turns out, Expansion is Imminent. Finally it seems, the tattered Tappan Zee will have a real suspension.
Royal Gorge
The highest suspension bridge in the world until the French opened the
new world's tallest suspension bridge, Royal Gorge crosses the Arkansas River in Colorado [we know, we were confused by this too]. In either case, Royal Gorge is a Tourist Attraction more than it is a bridge. Its built for walking rather than driving. But we've been there, at the bottom of the Gorge and on the Bridge. We only mentioned it because the viaduc de Millau displaced its place in history.
Trenton Makes Bridge
Funny how we keep bringing up utterly useless bridges. The Trenton Makes Bridge is so named for the giant neon sign suspended on the side reading "Trenton Makes and The World Takes". Once, this may have been true.
There are no factories left in Trenton [except of course perhaps, illegal underground sweatshops where political interns are forced to stamp out lapel pins for statehouse politicians. We've seen it man. It ain't pretty.] But the Trenton Makes Bridge is so Beautiful, how could the city planners ever think of tearing it down. That and its free, while route 1 has a toll.
We really like bridges, and think we'll be posting about more, again, soon. Until then, enjoy.
Tacoma Narrows
Located near Tacoma WA., this bridge is perhaps better known as Galloping Girtie. The suspension bridge was built in such a way that the wind in the narrows would cause vibrations in the steel.
From the day it opened, the steel in the bridge would bend and sway. Finally, the virbrations were too much for the bridge and the stress and collapsed. Interestingly enough, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is of the same design, but the vibrations are not nearly as bad.
The Tappan Zee Bridge
The Tappan Zee Bridge [aka "Tappan Zee Ass"] connects the New York State Thruway to i-95 over the Hudson river. This is a hulking sprawling, ugly bridge that causes congestion and has a high toll. But it has a special place in our heart as being "on the way" to scenic Cape Cod. [that is of course, if you are headed north from Northern New Jersey].
As we said, it is Not So Attractive and too tiny. The center lane actually has a mobile divider that expands one side of the bridge or the other side, depending on whether it is the morning rush or evening rush. To say the least, the bridge is too small.
But as it turns out, Expansion is Imminent. Finally it seems, the tattered Tappan Zee will have a real suspension.
Royal Gorge
The highest suspension bridge in the world until the French opened the
new world's tallest suspension bridge, Royal Gorge crosses the Arkansas River in Colorado [we know, we were confused by this too]. In either case, Royal Gorge is a Tourist Attraction more than it is a bridge. Its built for walking rather than driving. But we've been there, at the bottom of the Gorge and on the Bridge. We only mentioned it because the viaduc de Millau displaced its place in history.
Trenton Makes Bridge
Funny how we keep bringing up utterly useless bridges. The Trenton Makes Bridge is so named for the giant neon sign suspended on the side reading "Trenton Makes and The World Takes". Once, this may have been true.
There are no factories left in Trenton [except of course perhaps, illegal underground sweatshops where political interns are forced to stamp out lapel pins for statehouse politicians. We've seen it man. It ain't pretty.] But the Trenton Makes Bridge is so Beautiful, how could the city planners ever think of tearing it down. That and its free, while route 1 has a toll.
We really like bridges, and think we'll be posting about more, again, soon. Until then, enjoy.
2 Comments:
I think it would be more aptly named Trenton Make Bridge.
a) I don't believe that the Frog Bridge is indeed 'taller' than the Royal Gorge--'the highest pillar [of the Frog Bridge] will stand at just over 340 m (1,115 ft) tall.' The pedestrian Royal Gorge 'hangs 1,053 ft above the roaring Arkansas River below.' And let's face it, that 'highest pillar' is really, really bloody high, towering above the road surface (only about 804 ft), in fact. High enough to make the Frog Bridge the tallest, perhaps? b) Royal Gorge is still the tallest suspension bridge. c) You never dropped human-head-sized blocks of snow (ice) from the Royal Gorge into said Arkansas River, or onto the eager railroad tracks below (marvelous).
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