While China still rules the roost for the highest bridge ever, this one takes the cake for being the scariest one, at least in the USA. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is something people with height phobia, like me, would avoid at all costs!
Commonly known as the “Bay Bridge,” this is a major dual-span bridge in the state of Maryland, US. It stretches over the Chesapeake Bay and connects the state’s rural Eastern Shore region with the urban Western Shore.
This monster was originally opened in 1952 and currently stands at 200 feet height at its tallest point, spanning more than four miles in length!
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But besides it height, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is special from an engineering and architecture standpoint as well!
WTOP News correspondent shed light on how this bridge is unique and remarkable, He said,
“In 1947, the General Assembly, under the leadership of Governor Lane, passed legislation to begin bridge construction. Construction on the bridge began in 1949 and opened to traffic on July 30, 1952. The construction cost was $45 million. At that time, it was the longest continuous over-water steel structure and third longest bridge in the world… The Bay Bridge is 186 feet high at its highest point – high enough to accommodate ocean-going vessels and ships – and to give passengers a bird’s eye view of some beautiful scenery.”
So the $45 million steel and concrete beast allows a full fledged ship pass under it while 60,000+ cars pass over it per day! Bonkers isn’t it!
Watch the video below to view the astonishing work of engineering.
Would you like to visit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!