grober
MB Master
The new Forth road bridge is due to be opened by the Queen this Wednesday.
Queensferry Crossing to open on 30 August - BBC News
Queensferry Crossing to open on 30 August - BBC News
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The old Forth road bridge is a perhaps a classic example of transport infrastructure that increases demand rather than satiating it. No-one back in 1964 predicted that the bridge would effectively open the South of Fife as a commuter belt for Edinburgh for both individuals and businesses. Daily demand on the bridge would increase exponentially and coupled to a marine estuary environment lead to structural problems. Bearing in mind the old girl came from the era of rooms full of engineering draughtsmen with nary a computer workstation in sight the she's done pretty well ??
What the article doesn't say is how simply beautiful the thing is especially when viewed from a distance and just slightly off-centreline. Standing like three giant sails it's breathtaking.
If bridges are your bag then if you ever get the chance then go and see the Rio-Antirrio bridge in Greece. It was being built when the Greeks were preparing to host the Olympic helping to totally skint them out. The bridge itself is a real piece of art and an engineering masterpiece.Bobby Dazzler said:Bridges fascinate me. The first time I saw saw the Forth road and rail bridges I was captivated and just looked at them for hours, from umpteen different angles. Another reason for me to do the North Coast 500 so I can pass through on my way North.
If bridges are your bag then if you ever get the chance then go and see the Rio-Antirrio bridge in Greece. It was being built when the Greeks were preparing to host the Olympic helping to totally skint them out. The bridge itself is a real piece of art and an engineering masterpiece.
I still vividly recall my beautiful, loving grand father taking me (his youngest Grand Son) in his Austin A30 up to view the newly opened Road Bridge in 1964 (I was seven years old).
My Grand Father was an engineer all his life at BMK Carpets in Kilmarnock and had a passion for all things mechanical. The 'new' Road Bridge viewed from the Rail Bridge was a magnificent site to young boy. The bridges were just too big to contemplate. We stood for hours as he explained to me how the rail bridge was constructed, watching the steam trains crossing like tiny toys above us. We then drove over the road bridge just as a very large ship went under us. There was so little traffic, we were able to stop and watch as it slid below us.
His talk, on the famous 365 day never ending cycle of painting, of the rail bridge (this continued for many years) had me spell bound. Watching the men who looked more like ants as they scaled the Rail Bridge.
Somehow it seems now that the world was much a much better place then. I can smell the red leather seats in his Austin and see him as he hand painted the white raised pin stripes on the body work. I was allowed from my youngest memories to sit on his knee and steer the car up and down his driveway. I still remember stretching my arms to be able to grip the steering wheel, which was always warm and smooth to the touch. I couldn't reach the button on the floor to operate the main beam, but was allowed to operate the lever that brought out the semaphore turn signals.
He died in 1968.
To this day think of him and how he would love things like SatNav and automatic cars. I can hear him telling me, as we gazed up at the bow of the QE2, rising above the tenement block roofs "This will be the last big ship you will see built here"
He made his own picnic tray for the Austin that hung over the seat backs. SImple but effective it went everywhere with us.
He would love this bridge. It is indeed a beautiful piece of engineering art.
You're welcome. For some reason it never seems to get the recognition it deserves. For a relatively poor nation such as Greece it was a surprise it ever got built. I made a special journey to cross it.Bobby Dazzler said:Wow, just Googled it, that's an incredible thing to look at, thank you for sharing
Beautiful piece of work. The TV documentary about Eddie Stobart did a programme about a number of their lorries crossing the bridge for a photo shoot.flat6buster said:Would it be wrong to mention the Millau?
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