All too often they are dismissed as a way to simply get from here to there. But in many cases they are a marvel of engineering and a marvelous addition to our skyline. They are America’s great bridges. Each has its own history and has had its own challenges. Here is a look at six of America’s great bridges and a bit about how they came into being.
1) The Brooklyn Bridge – This is one of the most famous bridges in the country, and one of our oldest suspension bridges. It took 13 years to complete construction, and when it finally opened in 1883 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at about 1.8 miles. The bridge crosses the East River and links Manhattan with Brooklyn. The bridge has been the site of a human stampede when there were rumors of its impending collapse shortly after opening, a terrorist attack and many suicides and suicide attempts. It has been the backdrop for scenes in many films from Annie Hall to the Avengers.
2) The Golden Gate Bridge – Many doubted this bridge could ever be built due to the swirling tides of the San Francisco Bay along with its high winds. It was first opened in 1937 and is a vital link between San Francisco and Marin County, California. In 2013, toll workers were completely eliminated as the bridge went to a FasTrak automated toll system that costs users $5 for the trip across the iconic structure. The bridge is painted in what is called “international orange” giving it its trademark color.
3) Seven Mile Bridge – The Seven Mile Bridge connects Marathon in Florida’s middle keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. The original bridge was built by Henry Flagler as part of his efforts to connect the Keys by railroad. That original structure was damaged by a hurricane in 1935 and it was rebuilt for traffic. The current structure was built from 1978 to 1982, and parts of the old structure still stand and are used as a fishing pier.
4) New River Gorge Bridge – This impressive structure in Fayetteville, West Virginia may be the only bridge to have its own festival. It opened in 1977, and spans some 3,000 feet across the New River. When it first opened it was the largest single-span arch bridge anywhere. Every year the bridge is closed for one day in October for Bridge Day, when pedestrians are allowed onto the structure and there are bungee and BASE jumping demonstrations.
5) Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge– If you have even been to the Hoover Dam you know the dam has a roadway on top of it that connects Nevada with Arizona. Well, that roadway has been bypassed by a new bridge about a half-mile downstream from the dam. This bridge, which opened in 2010, spans 1,900 feet and traverses 900 feet above the Colorado offering spectacular views. It is the longest single-span concrete arch bridge anywhere.
6) Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge – Now a part of the Boston Skyline, this bridge was part of the city’s “Big Dig” project and opened in 2002. It is the world’s widest cable-stayed bridge and is named after civil rights activist Lenny Zakim as well as the colonist who fought at Bunker Hill. The bridge crosses the Charles River and the Bunker Hill Monument can be seen from the bridge.
They range from the very old and historic to new modern creations of engineering. Our bridges stand as much as symbols of the connections that bind us together as much as roadways that allows our travels. For some, they are part of a daily commute. For others, they are part of a vacation trip. They are our American bridges and every day they are helping us get to the future.
Written by MyImprov
