Topics related to the history of bridges and utilities.
With the end of the year fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to take stock and look at some of the current world-record-setting bridges, including the longest, highest, widest, most trafficked — and the one built using the most bricks. Some of the bridges have held their records for a short time. Others have maintained […]
When is a bridge more than a bridge? A bridge becomes more than a structure that connects two places when it plays a central role in its community. In this article, we’ll take a look at four bridges that do more than link one place to another. These structures improve the lives of the people […]
The Morandi Bridge, a 50-year-old structure that was part of a highway system connecting the city of Genoa in Italy to France, collapsed on Aug. 14, 2018, during an intense rain storm. Dozens of vehicles fell onto a riverbed, railway, and two warehouses below the bridge, causing significant physical damage. More than 40 lives were […]
Learn what led to this popular trend Despite some notable exceptions, like the Golden Gate Bridge, a large number of steel bridges across the United States are painted a similar shade of sage green. Is it a coincidence? Not at all. This particular color became popular because it blends into many natural environments. In this […]
Our industry is ever-changing and always exciting. Here’s some newsworthy updates in the infrastructure world. Innovative thinking Staying up to date with the news about what’s happening in the world of bridge design, engineering, and maintenance is a great way to keep ahead of your industry competition. Another is to stay abreast of what others […]
Millions of people cross bridges all over the world every day. But did you know that a tremendous amount of information is transmitted across them as well? That’s right: bridges are a key component of the world’s telecommunications infrastructure. They’re a vital link in the vast network of wires and cables that help distribute bits […]
It’s among the most famous film clips in history, important enough to have been selected for preservation by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. It shows a man on a bridge trying to save his dog during a major windstorm. (Spoiler alert: The man fails in his quest to get the dog […]
On bridge construction sites today, safety is a top consideration. Working at great heights, in traffic, through extreme weather, in fast river and ocean currents, and underwater makes bridge construction a perilous way to earn a living. The following chart, based on data from the Federal Highway Administration, shows that the number of fatalities on […]
A look at the headlines from across the country, along with a review of the Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) website, reveals that there has been a significant increase in the number of serious bridge construction accidents over the last few years. Many led to serious injuries and deaths. In most cases, these incidents could […]
There have been many serious bridge disasters throughout history, most caused by things like extreme weather, fires, and collisions. Others have come about due to highly unexpected things, like a medieval battle, singing, and a celebrity clown. No matter the cause, most resulted in significant loss of life, devastating injury, and serious economic consequences, including lost utility […]