Our second part of the greatest bridges in the world takes us to Asia and Europe and we see even more amazing structures that span iconic rivers and bays. The first of our bridges featured is in China and it is the awesome Tsing Ma bridge that is in Hong Kong.
Tsing Ma Bridge – Hong Kong
The Tsing Ma Bridge is a phenomenal feat of engineering, at one time it was the second largest suspension bridge in the world. It is remarkable as it features two decks for both rail and road traffic and for this reason it is still the largest dual-purpose suspension bridge on the planet. The huge upper deck is capable of carrying six lanes of traffic, whilst underneath there are two rail tracks and a further two road lanes. These two sheltered lanes are used when it is typhoon season and the top deck is forced to close.
Ponte Vecchio – Florence
The Ponte Veccio could be straight out of a William Shakespeare’s play, the medieval masterpiece could be a perfect place for one of the Bard’s complicated plots. The bridge spans the river Arno in spectacular Florence and is famous for its old buildings and shops that adorn it. Its rich history dates back to Roman times and it has seen many colourful periods of history as the Arno slips silently below it. Adolf Hitler intervened in WW II, so the Luftwaffe did not destroy it with their bombing raids.
Sydney Harbour Bridge – Sydney
Sydney Harbour contains some of the most iconic buildings and pieces of architecture in Australia, and the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge is certainly one of them. Nicknamed the coathanger by locals, the bridge commands excellent views of the harbour as well as being one of the most captivating sights itself. The bridge was completed in 1932 and is the sixth longest spanning-arch construction in the world, it also has the widest long-span and has the tallest spanning arch. Most people instantly recognize it as it is widely shown on TV at New Year as part of Sydney’s world class firework display.
Brooklyn Bridge – New York
Our final bridge is Brooklyn Bridge which majestically spans the East River, and is highly distinctive due to its Gothic-like granite arches. It links two parts of New York together, Brooklyn and Manhattan and carries road and foot traffic for tourists and commuters alike. It took just under fifteen years to build and cost the lives of many construction workers as they struggled erecting the piles into the river bed. The bridge carries just as much traffic today as when it was built over a hundred and twenty-five years ago. The Brooklyn Bridge is as much a part of New York’s skyline as the Empire State Building, and many visitors walk over it to get fantastic views of Manhattan.
These iconic bridges are more than just construction and architectural wonders, they are statements by mankind that it can conquer all obstacles. These fantastic pieces of engineering have encapsulated the will of the people and have become integral to the areas that they have been built, identifying the cities and the people that live in them.
