15 Terrifying Bridges People Actually Use

Destination Seeker ^ | 5-15-14

[kingattax]

To paraphrase “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams, “the goal of every good engineer is to do very little in their careers, and if you must build something, just hope it doesn’t hurt anyone.”

Of course, that’s selling short some very talented engineers who should be given great credit for figuring out innovative ways of getting us to cross previously un-crossable terrain like large bodies of water or deep, deep canyons.

If they and their team did their job right, they’ve created something that stands the test of time. But there are other structures that most of us agree could have used some better engineering, or at the very least a few more handholds.

[VerySadAmerican]

I’ve heard there are people available to drive you across the bridge for a fee.

[RightFighter]

It figures...they forgot this one, the most terrifying of all.

[central_va]

This one is a real nail biter.

Route 301 bridge over the Potomac. You actually pay money to scare yourself to death. The truck drivers say they hit each others mirrors from time to time. The lanes are narrow MAYBE 10 feet wide.

[aomagrat]

I loved driving across the old Cooper River bridge. It was like riding a roller coaster.

[cripplecreek]

Very cool old video.

Mackinac Bridge, Michigan: "The Five Mile Dream" 1958 US Steel Lowell Thomas 10min

[dr_lew]

The Easton Pa. "free bridge" over the Delaware. As per Wikipedia : Repairs carried out by Bethlehem Steel over the next two years [ after damage by Hurricane Dianne in 1955 ] made the bridge usable but the flood damage left a readily apparent sag in the center span that remains today.

[mabarker1]

Ron White, Rickety Bridge

[OldSmaj]

At least for Mary Jo.

[hole_n_one]

[struggle]

The Swinging Bridge - Byram, Mississippi

[struggle]

The Swinging Bridge - Byram, Mississippi

[datura]

I cross Deception Pass at 105,000 pounds all the time. The people crossing it on foot can definitely feel it bouncing.

[cyclotic]

I’ve driven buses over the Mackinac Bridge about 50 times. It’s a bit disconcerting when you think the center of the wheel is taller than the rail. Not really scary though.

[kingattax]

lol...white knuckle special

[cyclotic]

IIRC the Yugo took flight because she was doing over 70 on the bridge. The other was a suicide. No wind involved. Just a hard right turn.

[kingattax]

oops....didnt recognize this one at first.

[dfwgator]

IIRC the Yugo took flight because she was doing over 70 on the bridge

Swerved to avoid a baby duck?

[cripplecreek]

One of my favorite bridges is the Cut River Bridge in Michigan. Just plain beautiful to look at.

[GeronL]

and squashed beneath a Colorado marijuana truck

[dfwgator]

But they drove with pride.