1. Dubai is the Tetsuo of cities
Dubai is the Tetsuo of cities, expanding so fast it’s on the verge of creating of its own universe. And architecture that looks like it’s from the 22nd century only adds to the sheer grandeur of its growth—this bridge, envisioned by NY architecture firm Fxfowle, will be the largest and tallest arch bridge in the world, at one mile long and 670 feet tall. Construction starts next month and is due to wrap up in 2012 after running some $817 million dollars. World’s first vacuum tube mass transit system will launch in Dubai shortly thereafter.
2. Richmond Bridge (London, England)
Richmond Bridge is the oldest Thames bridge in Greater London!
3. Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo, Japan
Standing out from Tokyo’s brilliant nighttime neon glow isn’t easy but the Rainbow Bridge accomplishes it with ease. Spanning Tokyo Bay from the Shibaura Pier to Odaiba, the 1,903 ft (580 m) suspension bridge was completed in 1993 and its name was chosen by the public. Oh, the Statue of Liberty? Not to worry, it’s just a replica!
4. Beipanjiang River Railroad Bridge, Guizhou, China
The Beipanjiang River Railroad Bridge in Guizhou, China, ranks with the world’s longest arch bridges but stands out due to its spectacular scenic beauty. The bridge, which opened in 2001, connects two mountains over a gorge 918 ft (280 m) deep. The bridge is a vital part of the Guizhou-Shuibai Railway Project and since completion, has boosted commercial activity and incomes in what has historically been one of China’s poorest regions.
5. Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle, UK
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is often called the “Blinking Eye Bridge” due to its unusual method of operation. Located in Newcastle, the bridge serves pedestrian and non-motorized traffic moving from the tilt bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Quays arts quarter to the south and the Quayside of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to the north. This beautiful “tilt bridge” was officially opened in May of 2002 and is 410 ft (126 m) long. Due to its smallish size and method of operation, the entire structure was set in place in one piece by a massive Asian Hercules II floating crane.
6. Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, Brasilia, Brazil
The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge displays an appealing, modernistic design that complements that of Brazil’s master-planned capital, Brasilia. The bridge is considered to be an Asymmetric Arch Bridge with Suspended Deck, and it spans Lake Paranoá with a total length of 3,900 ft (1,200 m).
7. Alamillo Bridge, Seville, Spain
The Alamillo Bridge provides a vital transport link across the Guadalquivir River from the Spanish city of Seville to La Cartuja island, where Expo 92 was held. Since then, the bridge has become a landmark visible from most points in Seville and has come to symbolize the city’s promising future.
Built for practical and aesthetic reasons for Expo 92, the “Puente del Alamillo” is a strikingly beautiful cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge that only has one pylon. Resembling in many ways a gigantic sundial, the bridge’s main pylon soars 465 ft (142 m) into the sky while supporting the 656 ft (200 m) long roadway with 13 pairs of cables.
8. Hangzhou Bay Bridge, Shanghai, China
At 22 miles (35.673 km) in length, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is the the longest ocean-crossing bridge in the world. The bridge, which opened for public use in May of 2007, reduces travel times from the Yangtse River Delta area around Shanghai to the port city of Ningbo from 4 hours to a mere 2.5 hours.
9. Millau Viaduct, Millau, France
The Millau Viaduct (“le Viaduc de Millau”, in French) is not a sight those prone to vertigo or gephyrophobia (fear of bridges) will easily take in. The bridge, designed by Norman Foster (architect) and Michel Virlogeux (structural engineer), spans the River Tarn valley near the medieval town of Millau in southern France. The designers specially incorporated a sweeping curve into the layout of the bridge so that drivers crossing it would get a good view of the picture-postcard perfect town.
10. Brooklyn Bridge, New York, USA
No worthy discussion of amazing bridges can ignore the grand-daddy of them all, New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. The 5,989 ft (1825 m) structure took 13 years to build, opening to great fanfare in 1883. For 20 years it reigned as the longest suspension bridge in the world.
11. Hangzhou Bay Bridge, China
This bridge, recently completed, is the world’s longest trans-oceanic bridge, stretching across Hangzhou Bay off the eastern coast of China. Connecting the municipalities of Shanghai and Ningbo in Zhejiang province, it was linked at 3pm on June the 14th, 2007.
Measuring in at 36 kilometers long, and with six expressway lanes makes it the second longest bridge in the world, with only the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, USA beating it out.
Another of the bridges that seem to be a wasteful choice of bridge, it seems as though the Chinese government are making great architectural decisions, but are failing to consider what their people actually want. Nevertheless, designed to last 100 years, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge will be open to the public some time in 2008.
12. Tower Bridge (London, England)
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in London and one of the world’s most recognisable bridges!
13. Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, US)
Completed in 1937 as the then longest suspension bridge in the world at a total length of 8,921ft, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. Situated in San Francisco, the bridge was an enormous construction achievement at the time.
14. Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney, Australia)
Sydney Harbour Bridge is the widest long-span bridge in the world at a total length of 3,770ft!
15. Ponte Vecchio (Florence, Italy)
The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest wholly-stone built, segmental arch bridge in Europe!
16. Gateshead Millenium Bridge (Gateshead, England)
The award winning $44 million Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the first and only tilting bridge in the world!
17. Erasmusbrug (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Erasmusbrug is popular for its aesthetic appeal, it is nicknamed “The Swan” due to the shape of the pylon supporting it!
18. Westminster Bridge (London, England)
The clock tower on the far right is popularly called the “Big Ben” and is another important landmark in London!
19. Millau Bridge (Tarn Valley, France)
Millau Bridge is the largest cable-stayed vehicular bridge in the world!
20. Fehmarn Belt Bridge (Baltic Sea, Germany and Denmark)
When completed in 2018 the Fehmarn Belt Bridge will stretch 11.8 miles and connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. The proposed bridge has been controversial with opposition from businesses and conservationists who fear it may damage local wildlife.
21. The Kintai Bridge (Iwakuni, Japan)
Possibly one of the most unlucky bridges in the world, Kintaikyo was reconstructed in 1673 after every other attempt to cross the Nishiki River via bridge had been foiled by seasonal flooding. The five wooden arches remained intact right up to 1950 when a typhoon finally destroyed them. However, the bridge was again reconstructed three years later and is still crossable today!
22. Oresund Bridge (Oresund Strait, Denmark and Sweden)
Oresund Bridge has one of the longest cable-stayed spans in the world at 1,608ft and carries 60,000 travellers by car, bus and train per day.
23. Tsing Ma Bridge (Hong Kong, China)
The gravity-anchored Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong is the 6th largest suspension bridge in the world, and carries more rail traffic than any other bridge on earth!
24. Bosphorus Bridge (Istanbul, Turkey)
The uniquness of the Bosphorus Bridge comes from the fact that Istanbul is the only place in the world where a bridge links two continents – Asia and Europe.
25. San Diego – Coronado Bridge (San Diego, US)
This award-winning bridge quickly became an area landmark after its opening in 1969. With a vertical clearance of approximately 200 feet, the tallest ships can pass beneath it.
26. Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge (Kobe-Naruto, Japan)
The Akashi-Kaikyo bridge is the daddy of all suspension bridges.
27. Hangzhou Bay Bridge (Zhejiang, China)
The Hangzhou Bay Bridge is the longest ocean-crossing bridge in the world!
28. Magdeburg Water Bridge (Magdeburg, Germany)
The Magdeburg Water Bridge is exactly what its name suggests; a bridge made over water!
29. Brooklyn Bridge (New York City, US)
Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. At the time it opened, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world fifty percent longer than any previously built and has become a treasured landmark.
30. Nanpu Bridge (Shanghai, China)
The spiral bridge approach in puxi is considered to be a wonder in world bridge construction. It is made to minimize the amount of land used by the bridge approach.
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