5 Breathtaking and Dangerous Bridges: Engineering Wonders That Defy Limits

KRISHNAPRIYA T NAIR

Blog

5 MINS READ

11 December, 2024

Bridges are not just simple connectors. They are marvels of Engineering, raising the bars of design and functionality. While some bridges leave you speechless with their scale and beauty, others make you nervous, considering the precarious location and daring designs. Here are five of the most incredible yet risky vehicle bridges around the globe, their construction features, and challenges:

1. Millau Viaduct (France): The World's Tallest Bridge

The Millau Viaduct in France is the world's tallest bridge. It's 343 meters (1,125 ft) tall and crosses the Tarn Gorge in the Aveyron department of Southern France.

Features:

Height: The tallest bridge in the world, with the mast reaching 343 meters (1,125 feet), which is higher than the Eiffel Tower.
Design: Cable-stayed bridge with slender towers, and steel cables that combine flexibility and strength.
Construction: It was built with advanced pre-stressed concrete and steel, crossing the Tarn Valley and providing a smooth road for vehicles.

Source: https://twistedsifter.com/2011/06/worlds-tallest-bridge-millau-viaduct-france/

Safety Concern:

It is a very tall bridge susceptible to strong winds and fog. Nonetheless, it's a testament to precision engineering and aesthetics.

Constructional Challenges: Wind

One of the significant challenges during construction was dealing with high winds due to the bridge’s location on the River Tarn’s valley, notorious for its strong gusts. Hence, the bridge was designed to be smooth and aerodynamic, reducing the force applied to the structure by wind.The spacing and design of the pylons were also optimised to allow the wind to flow through them rather than push against them.

2. Eshima Ohashi Bridge (Japan): The Roller-Coaster Bridge

Features:

Height: The bridge was constructed with an apex of 44.7 meters to allow large ships can pass underneath.
Gradient: Steep inclines (6.1% on one side and 5.1% on the other) allow ships to pass underneath without a drawbridge.
Material: Reinforced concrete provides stability while accommodating the steep design.
Length: The bridge spans 1.7 kilometers over Lake Nakaumi, between Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture and Eshima in Shimane Prefecture.

Source:https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/attachment/62436/

Safety Concern:

The sharp rise and fall make it visually terrifying, often compared to a roller-coaster. It demands careful driving, particularly for heavy vehicles, but offers a striking visual experience.

Constructional Challenges:

Faced challenges such as designing a steep gradient to allow large ships to pass underneath while ensuring vehicle safety. Engineers overcame this by using advanced structural designs, precise gradient optimization, and durable materials to withstand frequent seismic activity in the region.

3. Royal Gorge Bridge: A Sky-High Engineering Wonder Over America's Grand Canyon

Features:

Height: The bridge stands 955 feet (291 meters) above the Arkansas River, making it one of the highest suspension bridges in the world.
Materials: High-tensile strength steel suspension cables. Wood panels, light and aesthetically very pleasing. On both ends of the cable, a tower made from steel anchors these cables.

Source:https://www.easemytrip.com/travel/challenge-your-death-by-passing-through-these-terrifying-bridges.html

Safety Concern:

The height and location bring high winds that expose this bridge, which needs structure stability measures.

Construction Challenges:

Building the bridge over the deep and narrow Royal Gorge required innovative methods for transporting materials as well as setting foundations. People were working at such an extreme height that posed risks to workers and required extra safety measures. Harsh weather conditions, including strong winds as well as sudden temperature changes, complicated construction.

4. Siduhe Bridge (China): A Sky-High Wonder

Features:

Height: One of the highest bridges in the world, suspended 1,627 feet above the Sidu River gorge.
Technology: With an advanced technology of suspension, this structure withstands seismic activities and high winds.
Materials: High-strength steel and concrete ensure durability.

Source:https://www.newsgd.com/node_b299d91ec3/2d237ba3bd.shtml

Safety Concern:

The sheer height along with narrow lanes and frequent foggy conditions make it a challenge for drivers. Yet, its innovative design exemplifies engineering mastery.

Constructional Challenges:

The Siduhe Bridge in China faced several challenges during construction, including dangerous winds. The valley where the bridge was built was regularly hit by strong winds, making it dangerous to work with helicopters. The bridge also crosses a canyon, and engineers needed to develop a way to safely place cables across it. Seismic activity is another hazard, with the bridge being built in a region prone to earthquakes, it needed to be designed to withstand seismic activities.

5. Kuandinsky Bridge (Russia): The Siberian Challenge

Features:

Height: At 570 meters long, it sits just 50 feet above the Vitim River.
Design: A narrow, dilapidated railway bridge retrofitted for vehicles.
Material: Constructed from wood and steel, it lacks guardrails, amplifying the risk factor.
Length: Spanning the Vitim River, it’s 570 meters long.

Source:https://www.easemytrip.com/travel/challenge-your-death-by-passing-through-these-terrifying-bridges.html

Safety Concerns:

This bridge tests the nerves of even the most seasoned drivers. Its icy surface during Siberian winters and absence of safety barriers make it one of the world’s most dangerous crossings.

Constructional Challenges:

The construction of Kandinsky Bridge faced tough conditions: extreme weather conditions, unstable riverbed soils, and strong river currents. Advanced engineering solutions, such as deep foundations, cold-weather techniques, and high-clearance design, countered these factors while minimizing environmental impacts.

Conclusion

These bridges represent the human ambition to conquer nature's obstacles, mixing engineering brilliance with high stakes. While some, such as the Millau Viaduct, exhibit cutting-edge technology and elegance, others, such as the Kuandinsky Bridge, are raw reminders of nature's unforgiving forces. Whether they evoke awe or instill fear, they remain iconic testaments to human construction ingenuity and resilience.