Top 5 Oldest Bridges in the US
Landscapes are beautiful reminders of the past and provide an incredible insight into the lifestyle of previous generations. Bridges offer perfect insight into the past lifestyle and tech advancement over the years. Crafted to link communities, make travel all the more convenient, and cross impediments, bridges tell us a lot about the origins of civilization. […]
How the London Bridge was Moved
During the 1960s, officials in England faced a devastating incident; the infamous London Bridge was falling and lacked an effective solution. The 1,000-foot Bridge standing tall for more than 130 years in the beautiful city of London had lived through the terrible World War II. However, modern-day traffic was causing it to start sinking into […]
What is a Cantilever Bridge?
Cantilever bridges are designed for road or rail traffic and typically built from structural steel or boxed girders made from prestressed concrete. The defining feature of a cantilever bridge is, well, a cantilever. Cantilevers are structures that project horizontally with support on only one end. Cantilevers may also be beams for smaller footbridges. The larger […]
Big Bayou Canot Collapse | September 22, 1993
On September 22, 1993, an Amtrak train was traveling across the Big Bayou Canot Bridge in Mobile, Alabama. The train derailed which resulted in the death of 47 people and 103 people being injured. The derailing of the train was caused by a deformation in the rails from a barge towing a heavy load that […]
How Engineers Maintain Movable Bridges
Movable bridges tend to be an expensive investment because of the size of the bridges and the controls needed to operate them. These bridges have more costly maintenance issues than fixed bridges because of the complexity of mechanical, electrical, and structural components despite the advancements of technology. The maintenance system of movable bridges is vital […]
History of the Seven Mile Bridge
The Seven Mile Bridge is the longest bridge among others that connect the Keys, and is part of U.S. Route 1 and the Overseas Highway. This bridge connects Knight’s Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) located in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. The history of the bridge begins in 1909 […]
How are Skywalk Bridges Built?
A skywalk bridge may also be known as a skyway or skybridge. It is a connection between two or more buildings which provides a pedestrian walkway in urban areas. A conditioned or unconditioned skywalk can be open, enclosed, encased in glass, for the public, or used strictly for business purposes. Depending on the functionality, they […]
The Pont du Gard Aqueduct in France
Crossing the Gardon River in southern France, the Pont Du Gard is one of the best-preserved ancient aqueduct bridges built in the first century AD by the Romans. In 1985 it was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) for its historical importance. By the […]
How Movable Bridges Work
There are many different variations of a movable bridge, but they all have the same purpose; designed to move out of the way to allow the passage of boats or barges. Movable bridges obviously bring to mind “drawbridges”, however, there are other variations of movable bridges beyond just the drawbridge. In the U.S., certain regulations […]
How a suspension bridge works
Perhaps the most famous suspension bridge in the world is San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. The expansive bridge with its monolith towers and crisscross cables is a beauty to behold – but many do not know how these beautiful structures actually work. Understanding How a Suspension Bridge Works A suspension bridge is one of the […]