AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: jbnv on January 03, 2015, 10:28:59 PM

Title: Highways to Heaven
Post by: jbnv on January 03, 2015, 10:28:59 PM
This topic will honor the bridges and roads that go up, up, up.

There are quite a few of these in south Louisiana, where the land is flat and the bridges can be quite tall to accommodate large vessels. Some of my favorites include:

* I-10 at Lake Charles.
* I-210 over Prien Lake in Lake Charles.
* Old US 90 over Bayou Caroline at Amelia, LA.
* I-310 over the Mississippi River.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: oscar on January 03, 2015, 10:53:03 PM
This topic better fits several roads in the U.S., and some more in other countries, rising above 12,000 feet in altitude (in the U.S., ncluding the Mt. Evans, Pikes Peak, and Mauna Kea summit roads; Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; and CO 82 over Independence Pass).  Other mountain roads, maybe (such as the Haleakala summit road in Hawaii, and the Mt. Washington summit road in New Hampshire); but none in states or other places that don't have any mountains. 
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: NE2 on January 03, 2015, 10:53:36 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F8Cp4SmT.jpg&hash=ba66503c81691c81aa4b8d0bf53a2125a0c22fcc)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on January 04, 2015, 07:54:14 AM
I'd nominate the Chinese G219, also known as Xinjiang-Tibet highway. It has several passes over the 16,000 feet mark. Now that is high :sombrero:. Not to mention most of it is above the 10,000 feet line.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 09, 2015, 02:56:15 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Ff%2Ff3%2FRainbowBridge_%2528Texas%2529.jpg&hash=983be72c5e4c272af24931a5f98db88f5cb4b114)

Rainbow Bridge in Texas
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Henry on January 09, 2015, 03:20:20 PM
Delaware Memorial Bridge
(https://www.aaroads.com/mid-atlantic/delaware295/i-295_sb_exit_002_01.jpg)

Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore
(https://www.aaroads.com/mid-atlantic/maryland695/i-695_ol_exit_044_04.jpg)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: texaskdog on January 09, 2015, 03:21:19 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 09, 2015, 02:56:15 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Ff%2Ff3%2FRainbowBridge_%2528Texas%2529.jpg&hash=983be72c5e4c272af24931a5f98db88f5cb4b114)

Rainbow Bridge in Texas

wonder what the grade is?  I need to drive this!!  I think my steepest has been I-10 by Baton Rouge.

Favorite "road to Heaven" is the Mount Evans drive in Colorado.  Two lanes, no guardrail, no center lane, and lots of bikes on it.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: 1995hoo on January 09, 2015, 03:33:22 PM
The following page says it's a 5% grade: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/err03

That picture is really something. I wonder how trucks do on that slope.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: OCGuy81 on January 09, 2015, 05:01:46 PM
Where in Texas is that bridge? Wow!
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: 1995hoo on January 09, 2015, 05:02:38 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on January 09, 2015, 05:01:46 PM
Where in Texas is that bridge? Wow!

https://www.google.com/maps?ll=29.979722,-93.871667&q=29.979722,-93.871667&hl=en&t=m&z=15


(How appropriate that Bridge City is nearby, eh?)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: BrianP on January 09, 2015, 05:22:33 PM
It doesn't have as much grade but it sure has the look of a never ending road up is the Platt Bridge in Philadelphia:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.892959,-75.222286,3a,75y,67.06h,76.35t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s57betN-TzjtYcsWsui85Fg!2e0
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: jp the roadgeek on January 09, 2015, 05:45:26 PM
The Jamestown Bridge  (old and new) in RI

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jamestown-ri.info%2FJamestownbrRIP.jpg&hash=7d6f4c6dd25ec0dab2da24d4b087332da2d33c8e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fladyandria.files.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fjamestown.jpg&hash=c593a1b830a1bcaaf3a19030f5f2beacc0945ffd)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: NE2 on January 09, 2015, 05:59:14 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 09, 2015, 03:33:22 PM
The following page says it's a 5% grade: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/err03

That picture is really something. I wonder how trucks do on that slope.

1940 Rand McNally (http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~247533~5515474:Road-map-of-Texas):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frumseysid.lunaimaging.com%2Fmrsid%2Fbin%2Fimage_jpeg.pl%3Fclient%3DRumsey%26amp%3Bamp%3Bimage%3DSIDS%2FD5005%2F5969050.sid%26amp%3Bx%3D11000%26amp%3By%3D5000%26amp%3Bwidth%3D500%26amp%3Bheight%3D500%26amp%3Blevel%3D1&hash=bcabcf11af8090fcf8ad9c250f49b734c290570a)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: dfwmapper on January 10, 2015, 05:21:20 AM
The Gerald Desmond Bridge at the Port of Long Beach has that feel.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: CapeCodder on January 10, 2015, 10:31:40 AM
The bridge on I-155 near Caruthersville, MO across the Mississippi River headed eastbound towards Dyersburg,TN.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: myosh_tino on January 10, 2015, 12:26:53 PM
Antioch Bridge (CA-160)...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbata.mtc.ca.gov%2Fimg%2FAntioch-Bridge.jpg&hash=17441ac030e48ebb26a01165c1cf3bc8c6a95bce)

San Mateo-Hayward Bridge (CA-92)...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F2%2F21%2FSan_Mateo_Hayward_bridge_from_Foster_City.jpg%2F640px-San_Mateo_Hayward_bridge_from_Foster_City.jpg&hash=8e6e27ecdb23c7f19098e3a92abf22a074ca6793)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: US81 on January 10, 2015, 01:09:33 PM
Beltway 8 - Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge bridge feels this way to me approaching southbound.  Northbound the approach feels less steep.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Houston_Ship_Channel_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:Sam_Houston_Tollway_Ship_Channel_Bridge_0804091506BW.jpg
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Revive 755 on January 10, 2015, 01:18:24 PM
* The Chicago Skyway

Streetview eastbound (https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ll=41.724509,-87.548686&spn=0.006967,0.016512&ctz=360&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.724893,-87.551205&panoid=i1Td8LVoWzYlQ5g-eQ6y7g&cbp=12,135.06,,0,13.22)

Streetview westbound (https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ll=41.712512,-87.534129&spn=0.007,0.016512&ctz=360&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.712512,-87.534129&panoid=DmfZ4nrY4Vd9aj2rqopbmg&cbp=12,306.5,,0,5.5)

* The bridge on I-43 in Green Bay

Streetview northbound (https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ll=44.529648,-87.995918&spn=0.013369,0.033023&ctz=360&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=44.529356,-87.995112&panoid=7UIRvqaTQpQj1XY3a5c1dg&cbp=12,312.98,,0,12.4)

Streetview southbound (https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ll=44.536286,-88.017483&spn=0.013368,0.033023&ctz=360&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=44.536416,-88.017893&panoid=gUr_nB7YfOBOGChZELwDaw&cbp=12,116.59,,0,18.42)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: texaskdog on January 10, 2015, 03:16:32 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 09, 2015, 03:33:22 PM
The following page says it's a 5% grade: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/err03

That picture is really something. I wonder how trucks do on that slope.

It looks more like about 15%  no way it's 5% unless that's a goofy angle.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: NE2 on January 10, 2015, 04:01:31 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on January 10, 2015, 03:16:32 PM
It looks more like about 15%  no way it's 5% unless that's a goofy angle.
Ever hear of foreshortening?
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Roadrunner75 on January 10, 2015, 04:15:16 PM
Victory Bridge - NJ 35 over the Raritan.  The adjacent Driscoll (Garden State Parkway) too...
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.504341,-74.293958&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.50434,-74.294471&panoid=WNBM92JVeOlFsiVcofc_Lw&cbp=12,30.23,,0,0.84 (https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.504341,-74.293958&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.50434,-74.294471&panoid=WNBM92JVeOlFsiVcofc_Lw&cbp=12,30.23,,0,0.84)


Also, the Harry Nice Bridge (US 301) over the Potomac...
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=38.360701,-77.003185&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.360701,-77.003698&panoid=nTZ9gnyWlL_V-8yITcjDvw&cbp=12,92.6,,0,3.6 (https://www.google.com/maps?ll=38.360701,-77.003185&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.360701,-77.003698&panoid=nTZ9gnyWlL_V-8yITcjDvw&cbp=12,92.6,,0,3.6)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: 1995hoo on January 10, 2015, 05:39:26 PM

Quote from: NE2 on January 10, 2015, 04:01:31 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on January 10, 2015, 03:16:32 PM
It looks more like about 15%  no way it's 5% unless that's a goofy angle.
Ever hear of foreshortening?

Is that a synonym for circumcision?
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: golden eagle on January 11, 2015, 08:58:14 PM
How high is the Coronado Bridge in San Diego?
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 11, 2015, 09:05:52 PM

Quote from: 1995hoo on January 10, 2015, 05:39:26 PM

Quote from: NE2 on January 10, 2015, 04:01:31 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on January 10, 2015, 03:16:32 PM
It looks more like about 15%  no way it's 5% unless that's a goofy angle.
Ever hear of foreshortening?

Is that a synonym for circumcision?

Lard substitution, foreshortening.

What about the Sunshine Skyway?  The flat surroundings (Tampa Bay, Gulf of Mexico) make its rise feel particularly abrupt.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 11, 2015, 09:12:08 PM
The General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge on I-65 in AL over the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimgick.al.com%2Fhome%2Fbama-media%2Fwidth960%2Fimg%2Falphotos%2Fphoto%2F2014%2F05%2F-c9f01d0165bf2b0b.JPG&hash=4fafce97c2588e93dd3cfc5a7a72bd32b4578965)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 11, 2015, 09:15:15 PM
http://goo.gl/maps/5I0yX

http://goo.gl/maps/omtLV

Garden City Skyway in Niagara-On-The-Lake
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Jardine on January 11, 2015, 09:36:11 PM
US20 in NW Illinois follows a narrow ridge for a ways between Galena and Freeport.  Interesting to drive it at night, and see the yard lights for farms down so low, on BOTH sides of the road.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Takumi on January 11, 2015, 09:43:14 PM
The VA 337 Jordan Bridge
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-losGvvYPA9E%2FUzM-UOI1PUI%2FAAAAAAAAHIw%2FXaAzA6pCbLY%2Fs1600%2F1979.JPG&hash=f49466571c00bcf38ee7d8e544c4a4df82f0f1e7)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:01:12 AM
Astoria-Megler Bridge

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbridgehunter.com%2Fphotos%2F17%2F97%2F179766-L.jpg&hash=65b801e15d1c57a8ebe7d88b66c7e501cfaea03d)

Commodore Barry Bridge

Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: theline on January 12, 2015, 02:13:01 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on January 09, 2015, 05:45:26 PM
The Jamestown Bridge  (old and new) in RI

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jamestown-ri.info%2FJamestownbrRIP.jpg&hash=7d6f4c6dd25ec0dab2da24d4b087332da2d33c8e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fladyandria.files.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fjamestown.jpg&hash=c593a1b830a1bcaaf3a19030f5f2beacc0945ffd)

Is this the bridge that connects Jamestown to the mainland? It can't be the one that connects to Newport, because that bridge didn't exist when I visited RI in the mid-60s. We had to take a ferry from Jamestown to Newport then.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: 1995hoo on January 12, 2015, 03:42:15 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:01:12 AM
Astoria-Megler Bridge

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbridgehunter.com%2Fphotos%2F17%2F97%2F179766-L.jpg&hash=65b801e15d1c57a8ebe7d88b66c7e501cfaea03d)

....

I had to look up where this one is. Anyone else struck by its overall resemblance (despite being narrower) to the Tappan Zee Bridge?
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: jakeroot on January 12, 2015, 04:06:17 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 12, 2015, 03:42:15 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:01:12 AM
Astoria-Megler Bridge

http://bridgehunter.com/photos/17/97/179766-L.jpg

....

I had to look up where this one is. Anyone else struck by its overall resemblance (despite being narrower) to the Tappan Zee Bridge?

Well, in a roundabout way, I'm more struck by the resemblance of the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Astoria-Megler Bridge (only because I'm more familiar with the latter than the former).
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 04:21:38 PM
How about bridges that due to the terrain are really high up, but don't feel that way until you look over the side.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: 1995hoo on January 12, 2015, 04:29:13 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 12, 2015, 04:06:17 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 12, 2015, 03:42:15 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:01:12 AM
Astoria-Megler Bridge

http://bridgehunter.com/photos/17/97/179766-L.jpg

....

I had to look up where this one is. Anyone else struck by its overall resemblance (despite being narrower) to the Tappan Zee Bridge?

Well, in a roundabout way, I'm more struck by the resemblance of the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Astoria-Megler Bridge (only because I'm more familiar with the latter than the former).

Heh. Fair enough!
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: spooky on January 12, 2015, 04:54:48 PM
Quote from: theline on January 12, 2015, 02:13:01 PM
Is this the bridge that connects Jamestown to the mainland? It can't be the one that connects to Newport, because that bridge didn't exist when I visited RI in the mid-60s. We had to take a ferry from Jamestown to Newport then.

Indeed it is.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:32:42 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1vmp8zzttzftq.cloudfront.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F07%2FBridge-of-the-Americas-In-Panama-City-Panama-1600x2139.jpg&hash=980855d595ed30764508e18ba757d20cdd0ee742)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: dfwmapper on January 13, 2015, 01:47:18 AM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 04:21:38 PM
How about bridges that due to the terrain are really high up, but don't feel that way until you look over the side.
Basically http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_bridges_in_the_world. Anything that high doesn't have a climb to get to it. Not on the list, but throw in Navajo Bridge carrying US 89A over Marble Canyon in Arizona.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 13, 2015, 06:52:55 PM
The Tydings Memorial Bridge is way up there, but doesn't feel it thanks to it being a deck truss cantiliver.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: jwolfer on January 13, 2015, 10:08:08 PM
The Chesapeake bay bridge feels really high.. Especially the 2 lane one with the metal grating.. Scary to drive on in wind and rain-
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: Chris19001 on January 14, 2015, 01:14:42 PM
Beatty Cutoff Road in Death Valley National Park.  It visably gains a few thousand feet in about 10 miles.  CA190 has a similar effect on the western approach to Stovepipe Wells.  It makes a remarkable impression every time I've seen it.  (more so downhill though)
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: ekt8750 on January 14, 2015, 03:04:46 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on January 13, 2015, 10:08:08 PM
The Chesapeake bay bridge feels really high.. Especially the 2 lane one with the metal grating.. Scary to drive on in wind and rain-

The cantilever one before the tunnels is a tad high but the other than that it's pretty low.

Couple of candidates from my neck of the woods (none of these pics are mine):

Platt Bridge (PA 291):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fc1038.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com%2Fgroup2%2Fbuilding11433%2Fmedia%2F0cmv3dn.jpg&hash=9592ff8ee2e662996d39e4e566ffa2418374394c)

Girard Point Bridge (I-95) especially on the upperdeck:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmidatlantic.construction.com%2Fimages%2Fwinter07_Feature2Girard-Poi.jpg&hash=bfc084670ecf9d01387f36330412fc184d9689ec)

and finally the St. Georges Bridge in Delaware (US 13). Tha bridge gave me the creeps when I rode over it as a kid:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennways.com%2FSt_Georges_Bridge.jpg&hash=9db65bee6bd639701b8484f2af5a8deb8332b9d1)

Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: roadman on January 14, 2015, 03:13:58 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 12, 2015, 03:42:15 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:01:12 AM
Astoria-Megler Bridge

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbridgehunter.com%2Fphotos%2F17%2F97%2F179766-L.jpg&hash=65b801e15d1c57a8ebe7d88b66c7e501cfaea03d)

....

I had to look up where this one is. Anyone else struck by its overall resemblance (despite being narrower) to the Tappan Zee Bridge?

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the Astoria-Megler bridge the basis for the Madison Bridge in The Night The Bridge Fell Down, which was Irwin Allen's failed 1983 attempt to reclaim his title as Hollywood's "Master of Disaster?"
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: jakeroot on January 14, 2015, 03:16:33 PM
Quote from: roadman on January 14, 2015, 03:13:58 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 12, 2015, 03:42:15 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on January 12, 2015, 09:01:12 AM
Astoria-Megler Bridge

....

I had to look up where this one is. Anyone else struck by its overall resemblance (despite being narrower) to the Tappan Zee Bridge?

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the Astoria-Megler bridge the basis for the Madison Bridge in The Night The Bridge Fell Down, which was Irwin Allen's failed 1983 attempt to reclaim his title as Hollywood's "Master of Disaster?"

According to Wikipedia, yes. Though I have no way of verifying this since I don't have access to the movie.
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: SteveG1988 on January 14, 2015, 03:24:20 PM
Title: Re: Highways to Heaven
Post by: jwolfer on January 14, 2015, 04:51:15 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on January 14, 2015, 03:04:46 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on January 13, 2015, 10:08:08 PM
The Chesapeake bay bridge feels really high.. Especially the 2 lane one with the metal grating.. Scary to drive on in wind and rain-

The cantilever one before the tunnels is a tad high but the other than that it's pretty low.

Couple of candidates from my neck of the woods (none of these pics are mine):

Platt Bridge (PA 291):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fc1038.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com%2Fgroup2%2Fbuilding11433%2Fmedia%2F0cmv3dn.jpg&hash=9592ff8ee2e662996d39e4e566ffa2418374394c)

Girard Point Bridge (I-95) especially on the upperdeck:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmidatlantic.construction.com%2Fimages%2Fwinter07_Feature2Girard-Poi.jpg&hash=bfc084670ecf9d01387f36330412fc184d9689ec)

and finally the St. Georges Bridge in Delaware (US 13). Tha bridge gave me the creeps when I rode over it as a kid:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennways.com%2FSt_Georges_Bridge.jpg&hash=9db65bee6bd639701b8484f2af5a8deb8332b9d1)
Not the CBBT. The William Preston Lane bridge us 50/301