July 23, 2009: Tilt Bridge

xoxoxoBruce · 07-23-2009, 12:42 AM

No, not Grandma's dentures when she nods off, a real bridge.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, as a matter of fact.

Now they could have built a drawbridge like everyone else, but nooooooo.

Quote:

The award winning $44 million Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the first and only tilting bridge in the world. Hydraulic rams at each end of the bridge allow it to tilt so small ships may pass through, and it is this innovative technology which won its designers the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture in 2002. Thanks to the 19,000 tonnes of concrete poured into 98ft deep foundations and enough steel to build 64 double decker buses, the bridge can withstand a collision with a 4,000 tonne ship moving at 4 knots.

Bet the spoilsports make everyone get off before they tilt it though.

Pico and ME · 07-23-2009, 03:58 AM

Seriously, whats the drawback to a drawbridge...why go overboard?

capnhowdy · 07-23-2009, 06:10 AM

Hell.... you can't even drive on it. The Brits must have money to burn.

ZenGum · 07-23-2009, 06:57 AM

I think $44 million for a retractable bridge is pretty cheap.

And you know, I reckon, when the bridge is up, if you were in a car or better on a motorbike, and you got up *enough* speed, and had an entry ramp ...

Definitely doable. While hugging a polar bear.

glatt · 07-23-2009, 07:26 AM

That looks like a row of rising bollards at the far end of the bridge!

glatt · 07-23-2009, 07:35 AM

Upon subsequent perusal of the high resolution image, I see I'm completely wrong. In fact it's not even a car bridge. Those rising bollards are two people and a couple concrete barriers. Very cool bridge. Europe is building sweet bridges these days.

Shawnee123 · 07-23-2009, 07:48 AM

That is very cool.

Mayor of Shekou · 07-23-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pico and ME

Seriously, whats the drawback to a drawbridge...why go overboard?

Doing the minimum yields simple survival & mediocrity. Going overboard often yields art and inspiration. Project housing comes to mind.

WillieO · 07-24-2009, 11:20 AM

The High Resolution link is incredible! You can see on the skyline several old castles. Now King Henry would have a draw bridge on his river or moat, right?

barefoot serpent · 07-24-2009, 12:30 PM

'I'll never drink that much again...'

/St. Louisians (or whatever they're called)

Gravdigr · 07-24-2009, 12:54 PM

What a fucking waste of money. $44 million bucks, to walk on? Good God..

Shawnee123 · 07-24-2009, 12:57 PM

So what? What's the cost of building a SAFE walking drawbridge, let's make it ugly, is it so much less than the cost of this SAFE walking drawbridge, that is aesthetically pleasing? Do you think an ugly one costs about a buck fifty?

If some of you all had your way, everything would be ugly. What's wrong with injecting some beauty into this ugly-hearted world?

glatt · 07-24-2009, 01:13 PM

I think he's upset that a government would spend money on anyone who isn't burning fossil fuel to get from point A to point B.

There are 16 people on that bridge, but it's hard to see them because they aren't in cars. If they were in cars, the bridge would be bumper to bumper, and he would be complaining that it isn't wide enough to handle the traffic.

spudcon · 07-24-2009, 09:37 PM

Ugly is beautiful.

Shawnee123 · 07-24-2009, 11:18 PM

Different is.

07-23-2009, 06:10 AM	#3
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Hell.... you can't even drive on it. The Brits must have money to burn. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

07-23-2009, 06:57 AM	#4
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	I think $44 million for a retractable bridge is pretty cheap. And you know, I reckon, when the bridge is up, if you were in a car or better on a motorbike, and you got up enough speed, and had an entry ramp ... Definitely doable. While hugging a polar bear. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

07-23-2009, 07:35 AM	#6
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Upon subsequent perusal of the high resolution image, I see I'm completely wrong. In fact it's not even a car bridge. Those rising bollards are two people and a couple concrete barriers. Very cool bridge. Europe is building sweet bridges these days. Attached Images

07-23-2009, 07:48 AM	#7
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	That is very cool. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

07-24-2009, 12:30 PM	#10
barefoot serpent go ahead, abbrev. it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,623	'I'll never drink that much again...' /St. Louisians (or whatever they're called) __________________ Chooses rowing vs. wading

07-23-2009, 03:58 AM	#2
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	Seriously, whats the drawback to a drawbridge...why go overboard?

07-23-2009, 07:26 AM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	That looks like a row of rising bollards at the far end of the bridge!

07-24-2009, 11:20 AM	#9
WillieO perfesionul spel cheker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 70	The High Resolution link is incredible! You can see on the skyline several old castles. Now King Henry would have a draw bridge on his river or moat, right?

07-24-2009, 12:54 PM	#11
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	What a fucking waste of money. $44 million bucks, to walk on? Good God.. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

07-24-2009, 12:57 PM	#12
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	So what? What's the cost of building a SAFE walking drawbridge, let's make it ugly, is it so much less than the cost of this SAFE walking drawbridge, that is aesthetically pleasing? Do you think an ugly one costs about a buck fifty? If some of you all had your way, everything would be ugly. What's wrong with injecting some beauty into this ugly-hearted world? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

07-24-2009, 01:13 PM	#13
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I think he's upset that a government would spend money on anyone who isn't burning fossil fuel to get from point A to point B. There are 16 people on that bridge, but it's hard to see them because they aren't in cars. If they were in cars, the bridge would be bumper to bumper, and he would be complaining that it isn't wide enough to handle the traffic. Last edited by glatt; 07-24-2009 at 01:39 PM.

07-24-2009, 09:37 PM	#14
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	Ugly is beautiful. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

07-24-2009, 11:18 PM	#15
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Different is. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: