Advertisement
Many bridges in the world enthrall us with their breathtaking beauty and make us shiver down our spines from their unstable character. Though they provide amazing views, these architectural wonders sometimes span dangerous gorges, roaring rivers, or dizzying heights, thereby posing serious hazards to anyone who brave to cross them.
One such such instance is the most perilous bridge in the world, the Hussaini Hanging Bridge in Pakistan. Built on thin wire ropes and aged wooden planks, this flimsy construction teeters dangerously over the violent Hunza River. For even the most daring visitors, its deteriorated state and wide gaps between planks make it a heart-stopping experience even if it provides amazing views of the nearby Karakoram Mountains.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, Canada, is also mentioned somewhat often. Although its 140-meter span hung 70 meters above the Capilano River, safer than the Hussaini Bridge nevertheless causes dizziness in many tourists. A exhilarating but disturbing experience results from the bridge's small sway and the crystal-clear view of the pit below through the wooden planks.
Among many others around the globe, these bridges serve as a reminder of mankind's bold attempts to overcome natural challenges, producing buildings both as horrible as they are beautiful.
1. Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
Advertisement
Despite a notable 12-year delay in its original construction, the Storseisundet Bridge is an amazing engineering accomplishment along Norway's Atlantic Ocean Road. Although it is near sea level, this orientation actually accentuates its special qualities and difficulties. The bridge's close proximity to the sea causes an optical illusion that has earned it the moniker "The Drunk Bridge" or "The Bridge to Nowhere," since it seems to finish suddenly from some viewpoints. When waves smash against the supports of the structure during stormy conditions, this visual effect is very spectacular.
Although from a project management standpoint unpleasant, the construction delay let engineers fully address the difficulties presented by the hostile North Atlantic climate. The design of the bridge had to include severe weather, including often battered Norwegian coastline by strong storms and high winds. Serving as a vital transit route and providing one of the most breathtaking driving experiences in Scandinavia, the completed construction effectively links Averøy island to mainland Norway.
The engineering of the bridge guarantees its stability and safety even if its apparently unstable location close to sea level. Apart from being a necessary infrastructure element, the structure is now a well-liked tourist destination attracting people from all around to enjoy its distinctive visual qualities and the dramatic surroundings.
