Trifter

The great architectural designs of world’s bridges have often fascinated my less than intellectual engineering mind.  What kind of thinking process does one have to possess in order to create the blueprint for such massive creations?  The most detailed analytical minds are definitely the chosen ones to say the least and those even more over the top thinkers are summonsed to build these enormous structural monstrosities.  New York has its share of bridges and I have been fortunate enough to be able to observe them from the sky in a single engine jet.  I could only wish I had my camera.  I had no idea!  My healthy obsession (I know that is an oxymoron) for these unique crossways have lead me to write this article.  Although, New York has many bridges connecting the boroughs of the state, in doing my research I have found many other unique designs that will both fascinate and amaze you.

Malaysia Sky Bridge, Langkawi Malaysia

This sky bridge is one of the highest single supported bridges at 2,000 feet above sea level built in 2005.  Designed and constructed as a pedestrian bridge, it has a 30° view of the Langkawi islands and the Andaman Sea.  Its visitors will definitely get a dose of adrenaline while crossing this bridge and a fair share of mountain views. 

The splendor of this design makes me wonder what the climb up is like.  The name sky bridge is fitting as there are times the clouds can be found hovering around this unique structure’s cable lines.

Image Credit:  Pontosdeluz

Hang Zhou Bay Bridge, China

Although this bridge is not the longest bridge in the world at 22 miles, it is the longest ocean crossing bridge on Earth.  Can you imagine driving across a bridge that long? 

I thought the Tappan Zee Bridge that encircles the States of New York and New Jersey was long as I would  watch the speedometer to make sure the ten mile span was correct every time traveled.  The Hang Zhou Bay Bridge crosses the Qiantang River at the Yangtze River Delta off the eastern coast of China and is one of the world’s newest bridges celebrating its opening in May 2008.  The design took approximately five years of research.

Image Credits: Randy Zhang, Ling Yang and Portfolio

Leonardo’s Bridge, Akershus, Norway

The design was found sketched in one of Davinci’s notebooks, hence the bridge’s name. 

It was designed by Davinci in 1502, but construction’s credit goes to Norwegian artist and painter Vebjørn Sand.  Originally, Davinci’s design was to be constructed to span the Golden Horn, which is the Bosphorus River’s mouth in Turkey.  Davinci’s design was never built.  Vebjørn Sand, saw the sketch of the bridge and a small model of the design and decided to construct the bridge as he was intrigued by its uniqueness. 

Sand also knew that he would be making history by actually bringing one of Davinci’s designs to life.  Sand and Norwegian Public Roads Administration agreed after years of searching for the perfect showcasing location to build the bridge to cross the E-18 highway linking Oslo and Stockholm.  The bridge enables pedestrians and bicycle riders ease of crossing this main highway.  The bridge’s completion came in 2001.

Image Credit:  36379207@N00

The Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul, Turkey

Image Credits:  Communiquel and Dimitri Sotiropoulos

What makes this bridge so unique is not so much its design, but that it is the only bridge that connects two continents, Europe and Asia.  How cool is that?  I thought that was pretty cool as I spent almost three years living in Germany and didn’t even know such a bridge existed.  At night the lighting of this bridge can make one appreciate more its massiveness.  This suspension bridge originally did not allow vehicles to pass over it as the countries celebrated its completion in 1973 with many tourist and natives alike enjoying it pedestrian access.  Today the bridge is used for vehicular travel housing only parallel sidewalks on either side of the bridge.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England

Can a bridge’s design be any more unique?  You will see that it can, but I was truly fascinated by the intricate design of this bridge.  This bridge sits on the south bank of England’s River Tyne. 

This is the world’s first and only bridge to utilize tilt mechanism.  This unrivaled design provides transportation as well as pedestrian movement and is one of England’s best tourist attractions as people  come from all over to see the bridge tilt enabling ships to pass.  This bridge may not be the longest or highest, but it certainly leaves nothing to desire in the way of structural uniqueness and mechanical design.

Image Credit:  59303791@N00 and Ivan Dobsky

Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado

Spanning the canyons separating the Arkansas River, the world’s highest suspension bridge is 1,053 feet above sea level.  The much spoken about “Cloud 9″ can be found up here literally.  It gives the adrenaline feeling of strolling through the sky. 

Image Credits:  Molas, 80651083@N00, and 673075569@N00

This bridge was built in 1929 in just five months.  This engineering marvel connecting canyon rims is only 18 feet wide and a quarter of a mile long, approximately 1,260 feet.  The best views are from top to bottom is what I always say!

Millau Viaduct, France

Image Credits:  Richard Lowkes, Frog Manor, and London Dan

Yet another bridge that allows one to touch the clouds, the Millau Viaduct is the tallest vehicular bridge with the highest point being at 1,125 feet.  Can you imagine a bridge being taller than the Eiffel Tower and just 125 feet shy of being the same height as the Empire State Building?  This spectacular vision crosses the Tarn Valley in the Massif Central near Millau in southern France.  It was open for transportation in 2004.

Ponte dei Sospiri, Venice, Italy

Although this bridge is not constructed of massively enormous metal rails and cables, this bridge dons its own uniqueness.  Built in the early 1600s this bridge connects Doge’s Palace (interrogation room) to what was then a prison. It crosses the Rio di Palazzo and carries the nickname Bridge of Sighs. 

The name came from the poetry of Lord Byron.  It had been said the inmates would sigh crossing the bridge because it was their last view of Venice before being locked in their cells.  Even more interesting is the myth that if a couple kisses under the bridge, at sunset, they will be granted eternal love.  Not sure I will be kissing under what used to be a bridge that transported inmates hoping for eternal love.  There has to be a surer and easier way.

Image Credits:  Melolou, Heaven up Here, 9675129@N02

Khaju Bridge, Isfahan, Iran

This bi-level structure crosses the Zayandeh River connecting Khaju and Zoroastrian in Iran.  It was built in 1650.  This unique design was created using bricks and stone housing 23 beautifully crafted archways. 

The inside yellowish colored lighting gives the appearance of a pumpkin.  The top and bottom levels can be utilized as walkways and in the past the top portion was used as a passageway for horses and carts.  This bridge’s various functions contribute to the very unique design as the underbelly performs as a weir (lowhead dam).  A sluice or irrigation gates are opened and closed to regulate the river’s flow.

Image Credits:  Hamed, Abro, and Hamzeh

Alamilla Bridge, Seville, Spain

The Alamilla Bridge is a construct of visual delights.  This design resembles that of a harp and it’s the first of it kind.  It crosses over the Guadalaquivir River in Seville, Spain.  This bridge was built in 1992 by the famous Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrova.  It is 820 feet long and 450 feet high.  The central mast leans at a 58° angle giving the appearance that it is balancing.  The innovative, cutting edge design makes for wonderful eye candy for those of us that love to hear the snapping sound of our cameras.  This by far was my favorite design.

The Verrazano Bridge and most others in New York pale in comparison to these bridges.  I can still appreciate the structural design and constructional prowess that goes into creating our world’s connectors; bridging the gaps between difficult lands and vast seas.  Bridges are the world’s silent communicators.