Bridges are incredible when you think about them. From the simplest design to the largest marvels, they represent the pinnacle of engineering design with great care and attention needed to work out how to safely build a structure that can survive extreme weather conditions and support a lot of weight over its lifespan. The intricacies involved in the smallest part of each section of the bridge to ensure it doesn’t collapse are mind-blowing, and the people who designed them are exceptionally intelligent.
Here are ten amazing bridges you can see on a cruise.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
There are a few iconic bridges on this list that help define a city or region, and this is one such example. Not only can you enjoy the impressive sight of this bridge, but you can even climb it, giving you some stunning views over the harbour.
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most famous bridges across the whole world, this is one of the top attractions for any visit to San Francisco. Ranked as one of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Wonders of the Modern World, it is a beautiful example of a suspension bridge that spans almost two miles.
Helix Bridge
Built in 2010 this is a footbridge in Singapore, and I’ve included it because of the beautiful design – a double helix of metal that spins its way across Marina Bay. It has a curved shape, and is illuminated to give a true sense of modern style.
Confederation Bridge
The Confederation Bridge links Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick in Canada, and at 8 miles long it’s easy to spot from a cruise ship. It’s the most bland-looking bridge on this list but it’s still a marvel, as it is the longest bridge over ice.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge in Florence, built in Medieval times out of stone. What makes it stand out is the fact that there are shops on the bridge itself, including souvenir and jewellery shops. It’s the only bridge not destroyed during the Second World War.
Hangzhou Bay Bridge
One of the longest bridges in the world, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge crosses the ocean to link Ningbo and Shanghai. It’s a mighty feat of engineering, measuring 22 miles long.
Nanpu Bridge
The really interesting feature of the Nanpu Bridge isn’t the part which crosses the water. Instead, due to space limitations, this bridge in Shanghai has a spiral in the city, to get cars up to the requisite height that was needed to cross. It’s a fascinating and ingenious design.
Brooklyn Bridge
Another iconic bridge, this famous landmark in New York City was the first steel-wire suspension bridge to ever be built; it is 130 years old and a designated National Historic Landmark, and one of the most well-known structures to be linked to the city.
Tsing Ma Bridge
The Tsing Ma Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world that has two decks, able to carry both rail and road traffic. It’s also a bridge that is very pleasing to the eye, dominating the local scenery.
Banpo Bridge
I don’t want to tell you about this bridge because there are some things in life that words don’t do justice. Take a look at this video to understand the incredible unique features of this bridge;
By Ian Lewis
Google