FM3AAR, first bridge I thought of was the Sunshine Skyway also. The new one after the collapsed one is huge. Driven over it a few times. One time with my mom as a passenger, and she ducked down until we were over
Facts are stubborn things.
Re: Bridges that scare you
[Re: 05dakota]
#3007883 01/22/2202:52 PM01/22/2202:52 PM
I've driven all over 45 of the lower 48 states , missing far northern Pacific NW and Far north New England area, mostly just Maine ..been over many sketchy bridges , this one would challenge me
That bridge is local to me, it's one of those bridges that you fold up your drivers mirror if you're in a pickup before you start across it. Motorcycle guys say it has a high pucker factor for them. One other thing is that if freezes very quick when it's cold enough.
Took my Mom to Port Arthur today which put me REAL close to the Rainbow Bridge, so we went to check it out! Yup, she's definitely up there, but the pucker factor wasn't bad being in a Corolla. Driving across in a Semi might be a different story. The climb comes on rather sudden, its not long and drawn out. I took video of crossing both bridges, but I didn't post it because it really doesn't put the height into prospective. .
Changed my mind........
(no I wasn't drunk, almost dropped my phone at the beginning, say what you will)
Last edited by Satilite73; 01/22/2211:48 PM. Reason: added video
It sure seams that bridges over the Mississippi river connected with Illinois are pretty high on the pucker power list, that really doesn't surprise me in the least. We have bridges here over small creeks that may have several 6" holes through the concrete bridge deck. Bridge maintenance in IL has not been a very high priority. They pretty much ignore them until the National Highway Administration gets after them to fix something. The old steal deck bridges at least let the water and salt fall through the deck surface.
Re: Bridges that scare you
[Re: 05dakota]
#3008071 01/23/2205:31 AM01/23/2205:31 AM
Having driven over it for many years, I'd never really thought of it until a former coworker of mine admitted he had to have somebody else drive so he could keep his eyes closed when going over the Chesapeke Bay Bridge in Maryland. So I just looked it up: https://www.washingtonian.com/2011/08/05/bay-bridge-one-of-americas-ten-scariest/
Oh, the video doesn't really convey the feeling that you're 200 ft in the air across miles of open water, but it gives you an understanding of how looooonnng it is.
Last edited by Brad_Haak; 01/23/2209:36 AM.
2021 Challenger 6.4L Scat Pack 1320 100% stock: 1.680, 11.894 at 113.75 (DA 175 ft) weight reduction, wheels, tires, Hellcat air box: 1.661, 11.686 at 115.97 (DA 710 ft)
1973 Challenger 452 ci street/strip [2008] pump gas, DOT radials: 1.454, 10.523 at 126.44 (DA 514 ft)
Re: Bridges that scare you
[Re: Brad_Haak]
#3008094 01/23/2209:46 AM01/23/2209:46 AM
Having driven over it for many years, I'd never really thought of it until a former coworker of mine admitted he had to have somebody else drive so he could keep his eyes closed when going over the Chesapeke Bay Bridge in Maryland. So I just looked it up: https://www.washingtonian.com/2011/08/05/bay-bridge-one-of-americas-ten-scariest/
Oh, the video doesn't really convey the feeling that you're 200 ft in the air across miles of open water, but it gives you an understanding of how looooonnng it is.
You should drive over it whenever the wind is howling!
America First!
Re: Bridges that scare you
[Re: carnut68]
#3008116 01/23/2211:43 AM01/23/2211:43 AM
For me it was the Deer Isle Bridge going to Little Deer Isle, Maine for a delivery. It is a narrow suspension bridge, feeling more so when you're in a truck, and has fairy steep approaches. What made me a little nervous was, while I don't remember any weight limit signs there were signs posted across the bridge stating the distance trucks had to stay away from each other. I haven't seen that any place else before, or since.
Galloping Gertie bridge is the same root cause as those Chrysler radio antennas wiggling before they wrapped the stiffening wire coil around the vertical rod.
“Vortex Shedding”
Same root cause as those stop signs that waggle back and forth in hurricane winds, and why a tall tree sways in the wind.
Those far end of airplane wing add-ons vanes are to control a vortex
Re: Bridges that scare you
[Re: A12]
#3008273 01/23/2206:27 PM01/23/2206:27 PM
I remember years ago right after they started selling the Yugo in the USA a gal in a Yugo was crossing the Big Mack bridge when a gust of wind blew her and her Yugo over the side and into the Straight of Mackinaw. Killed both of them. The center two pains on Big Mack are steel mesh. I once flew a helicopter under Big Mack.
I can't believe it did that for over an hour before collapsing! Always interested me. Here it is in a Pioneer stereo commercial , https://youtu.be/7_mccjAnCOk
Re: Bridges that scare you
[Re: RTSrunner]
#3008400 01/23/2211:52 PM01/23/2211:52 PM
Bridges usually don't bother me. When I was growing up, the father of my best friend was a bridge engineer. I trusted him, so maybe that is why I felt confident on bridges.
One night I was crossing a bridge during a thunderstorm on Interstate 64 in West Virginia. A bolt of lightening struck right in front of my car. The flash of light was blindingly bright and the thunder was instantaneous.. It was pitch black that night with no traffic in the vicinity, so the flash was just over powering to my eyes. There wasn't any long term harm to myself or damage to the car but it certainly shock me up!!!!
One that seems sketch is the I-71/75 bridge over the Ohio River in Cincinnati. Its a double deck bridge and its old as hell. Another time I had to drive on the parallel bridge due to an accident and I could feel it moving up or down like a wave.