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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on March 07, 2010, 20:19

Title: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: sam on March 07, 2010, 20:19
Quote
Bridges might not get the respect the world’s tallest skyscrapers get but these horizontal architectural wonders push the engineering envelope just as hard. From “Galloping Gertie” to the Golden Gate, these 10 span-tastic bridges prove the journey is often more interesting than the destination.

http://weburbanist.com/2010/03/07/suspending-belief-10-span-tastic-bridges/
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 07, 2010, 21:46
Those are fantastic!  I like bridges, but also find the long ones slightly scary.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: sam on March 07, 2010, 22:19
yeah that one across the bay in China sounds terrifying!
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Clive on March 07, 2010, 22:51
Neither of the Severn bridges are featured?   :bawl:
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 07, 2010, 23:34
Too Welsh.  ;D
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: sam on March 08, 2010, 01:12
Too Welsh.  ;D

and so is the engineering... no wonder they aren't in the list :p
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 10:08
Now owned by the French.   :bawl:
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 10:14
Worse still!  ;D
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 10:22
They missed the Skye road bridge.  :)
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 11:33
Have you been on it?  Last time I went, it was still the ferry.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 11:48
Yes, it's great, though short. It feels a bit like you're flying over the sea.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 11:50
I'm sure it's useful, but for me, it detracts a little, from it being an island.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 12:02
I agree, the character of the place has, undoubtedly, changed.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 12:21
The remoteness added to the attraction.  I guess, though, once you get inland, nothing much has changed.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 12:26
Apart from the number of tourists, perhaps.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 13:00
True.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 13:12
Have you been on it?  Last time I went, it was still the ferry.

Yes, I used it not long after it first opened in 1995. 
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 13:55
That makes it at least fifteen years since I went!  :horror: :bawl:
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: sam on March 08, 2010, 13:56
is it pricey? actually wikipedia suggests it is.

Def not remote - forming part of the A87 just makes it sound like any other place
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 15:47
It's free now, Sam.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 16:47
That makes it at least fifteen years since I went!  :horror: :bawl:

We almost bumped into each other Simon!   ;D
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 16:48
:aarrgh:  ;D
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 16:52
Now, on ferries, that can be very nasty...
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 18:31
We were in a hired Ford Granada Scorpio, and halfway through the week, the exhaust fell off!   Fortunately, there was a Ford dealer in Portree who welded it back together for us, otherwise it would have been a very noisy ride home!
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 18:33
Scottish garages are good at fixing things, aren't they. You're much less likely to get a 'we need to order it' from them.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 18:35
Indeed.  They only charged us a tenner, as well!
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 18:41
According to the AA, I had a big end failure (no, the car) many years ago. I limped down the road to the local garage, and he diagnosed a faulty alternator, changed it and my problem was solved.
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 18:44
That sounds like my recent big end problem, which turned put to be a cam pulley.  ::)
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Serenity on March 08, 2010, 18:46
That sounds like my recent big end problem, which turned put to be a cam pulley.  ::)

You been pulling Cammy  :woot:     sheesh no wonder he doesn't want me anymore  :P  :)x
Title: Re: Suspending Belief: 10 Span-tastic Bridges
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 18:48
:haha:  :ack: