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[Beltway]

I keep thinking this thread should've had a poll asking whether or not anyone here is afraid to drive on the bridge. Last night I watched that old YouTube video from Inside Edition on how it's supposedly the scariest bridge in America.

That notion came from sensationalist idiots in the news media.  I have driven the bridges hundreds of times, going back to when it was one 2-lane 2-way bridge, and I have never been "scared" by the trip, or even "anxious".

[BrianP]

I keep thinking this thread should've had a poll asking whether or not anyone here is afraid to drive on the bridge. Last night I watched that old YouTube video from Inside Edition on how it's supposedly the scariest bridge in America.

That notion came from sensationalist idiots in the news media.  I have driven the bridges hundreds of times, going back to when it was one 2-lane 2-way bridge, and I have never been "scared" by the trip, or even "anxious".

And your experience is the definitive one. No one else's can be different or even matters. 

[Beltway]

I keep thinking this thread should've had a poll asking whether or not anyone here is afraid to drive on the bridge. Last night I watched that old YouTube video from Inside Edition on how it's supposedly the scariest bridge in America.

That notion came from sensationalist idiots in the news media.  I have driven the bridges hundreds of times, going back to when it was one 2-lane 2-way bridge, and I have never been "scared" by the trip, or even "anxious".

And your experience is the definitive one. No one else's can be different or even matters. 

Strawman over Internet.  How about the dozens (or more) people in the Maryland and environs region that I have heard discuss the bridge over the last 50 years.

[BrianP]

I keep thinking this thread should've had a poll asking whether or not anyone here is afraid to drive on the bridge. Last night I watched that old YouTube video from Inside Edition on how it's supposedly the scariest bridge in America.

That notion came from sensationalist idiots in the news media.  I have driven the bridges hundreds of times, going back to when it was one 2-lane 2-way bridge, and I have never been "scared" by the trip, or even "anxious".

And your experience is the definitive one. No one else's can be different or even matters. 

Strawman over Internet.  How about the dozens (or more) people in the Maryland and environs region that I have heard discuss the bridge over the last 50 years.

Still doesn't cover everyone's else's experience.  It only takes one exception to disprove your evidence.

[Beltway]

Still doesn't cover everyone's else's experience.  It only takes one exception to disprove your evidence.

I never claimed to "cover everyone's else's experience", so "only one exception" doesn't really prove anything either.

[seicer]

Christ.

People do experience anxiety driving over that bridge. I have friends who have -refused- to drive over that bridge because it induces a panic attack. I know if I'm on the outside lanes of some bridges with low or exposed railings, I could have a panic attack if I look over.

This is why we have assistants that can help motorists at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and at similar older crossings. No one really cares if someone drives over the bridge 5,000 times with no problems; it's a very real problem.

[Beltway]

Christ.
People do experience anxiety driving over that bridge. I have friends who have -refused- to drive over that bridge because it induces a panic attack. I know if I'm on the outside lanes of some bridges with low or exposed railings, I could have a panic attack if I look over.

How many?  I've probably talked to about 50 people in person about the bridge and I haven't yet talked to someone who refused to drive over it.  Some people are afraid to leave their house too but that doesn't mean that houses are 'scary'.  I actually have talked to a few people who are afraid to drive on any freeway or Interstate highway and refuse to.

[seicer]

20-30 per day.

Other bridges offer similar services.

[Beltway]

20-30 per day.

The Huffington comPost.

"as many as 20 to 30 bridge drive-overs a day during the peak summer vacation months"

A private company and that is out of about 70,000 AADT

"as it’s subjected to frequent—and often violent—storms"

I would like to see some data.  Not true for the Baltimore-Washington-Eastern Shore region in general.

Again hundreds of crossings and I have not yet had that happen to me.  Normally you would see a storm coming and if it is bad enough I would not cross the bridge until the storm passed.

So they include these also --

Millau Viaduct, France
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana
Seven Mile Bridge, Florida
Mackinac Bridge, Michigan
Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado

[Alps]

So now you're denying data that was just presented to you. Drop it, Kozel.

[Beltway]

So now you're denying data that was just presented to you. Drop it, Kozel.

This is the only item that I questioned with regard to data --
"as it’s subjected to frequent—and often violent—storms"
I would like to see some data.  Not true for the Baltimore-Washington-Eastern Shore region in general.

[…]

I didn't see any actual data in the article about that -- please straighten me out if I missed it.

[seicer]

That article is easily verifiable. From sources you may prefer:
https://wamu.org/story/11/05/30/bay_bridge_fear_means_business_boom_for_shuttles/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2331679/Chesapeake-Bay-bridge-The-Maryland-bridge-terrifying-locals-pay-25-company-shuttle-car.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/us/service-aids-fearful-drivers-across-the-chesapeake.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/for-some-a-drive-across-the-chesapeake-bay-bridge-is-a-harrowing-experience/2013/07/22/e6f1b8b4-f300-11e2-ae43-b31dc363c3bf_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5a5229703066
https://wtop.com/news/2013/07/local-service-drives-scared-drivers-across-bay-bridge/

Etc. It's a mom-and-pop operation. They aren't going to hand out data. Take their word for it. And the fact they can provide themselves a living off of $25 rides 3-30 times a day.

I did not know that the CBBT offered an in-house service, and did not know that the Chesapeake Bay Bridge had discontinued theirs. I remember about 10 years ago driving over it in a violent storm and it was white knucked driving. The cars behind and ahead of me were riding towards and in the center of the two-lane one-way crossing, presumably because we had fears of being thrown over the edge!

I am sad but kind of glad that awful two-lane (one-way) cantilever bridge down in Charleston SC was replaced. Very steep grades, tight turns mid-way, and something like 8 or 9 foot lanes. Also driven in less than prime conditions when I was 18. Good times!

[Rothman]

So now you're denying data that was just presented to you. Drop it, Kozel.

Alps wins the Internet today.

[odditude]

bridges generally don't bother me at all, but i was definitely more comfortable in the center lane going WB over the bridge. my girlfriend kept her eyes closed over length of the bridge.

[D-Dey65]

Aw, man. I didn't want to start an argument over this. Scott, you and I aren't afraid to cross the bridge. That's good. Nobody you know is afraid of it either. That's good too. Most of the people I know either never heard of it, or confuse it with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. They should go to your site. But that doesn't mean other people aren't afraid of it.

[Beltway]

So now you're denying data that was just presented to you. Drop it, Kozel.

Alps wins the Internet today.

At the Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening ceremonies in 2006, one of the speakers mentioned the possibility of raffling off 10 or 20 momentos of the project.  I turned to the guy sitting next to me and said, "I propose that the winners be awarded a chunk of concrete!"  Got a good chuckle from him and several others nearby who heard it.

[roadman65]

bridges generally don't bother me at all, but i was definitely more comfortable in the center lane going WB over the bridge. my girlfriend kept her eyes closed over length of the bridge.

I had my cruise set the whole time as everybody stayed steady even with the left lane WB set for EB travel (as it was Labor Day Weekend and folks were heading to the beaches that day).  That bridge was not at all scary.

I think the Huey P. Long in NOLA was scarier when the bridge vibrated as I was stuck in traffic to not move but feel the movements of the opposing cars.  Now if a train came across I am sure that bridge really would have shook as that particular bridge is both a road and rail structure across the Mississippi.

[Beltway]

Regarding being on a bridge during a violent storm, I was thinking about my past experiences.  Obviously everybody has their own experiences, but here is mine to the best of my recollection.  1.1 million miles of driving in last 50 years.

I don't recall being on a bridge during a "violent storm".  That would seem to include high winds, hail, blizzard, etc.  There have been some times when I have crossed a bridge during snow or ice conditions, and a couple were a bit dicey, but not to the level any emergency.

I can think of just one time that I was on a bridge in seriously problematic traffic conditions due to a storm.  I was about age 20, crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (I-495), and a heavy rain became severe enough to where many vehicles were stopping in the right lane, and that was back when there was no shoulder wide enough to hold a car.  Even with the windshield wipers on high I could barely see the road in front of me, and it was loud with the amount of rain hitting metal.  I and some other drivers did manage about 5 mph all the way across the bridge, as I wanted to reserve stopping for a full shoulder unless it was deemed impossible.  The rain did slack off about 10 minutes later.

Given the very small percentage of road mileage that is comprised of major bridges, that likely is the reason why it could be rare.

[CentralPAGal]

I just drove across the bridge for the first time today, was pretty impressed with the scale of it. While I don't recall seeing anyone pull over because I was not paying attention to that, I can certainly see how people with a fear of heights, or anxiety might be intimidated by it (particularly the narrower older span, and/or in adverse conditions.)

[ipeters61]

I drove the bridge last weekend, for the second time in two years, when visiting a friend who lives in the DC suburbs (I rarely go west since most of my friends/family live north of me).  Personally, I didn't find it too bad, I just kept going in the middle lane (westbound)/right lane (eastbound, night time) at around 55 and felt okay.  Frankly, I just was so amazed that after three minutes or so I just said to myself, "Wait, I'm still on the bridge.  "  I find it a very beautiful experience, I rarely go that way and I found it to be a nice drive.  If anything, driving the Capital Beltway was way more nervewracking than the bridge.

However, I know my father is not a fan of long bridges and can't imagine his reaction to the Bay Bridge.  From what I remember, westbound had a very unnerving looking "guardrail" on both sides, which is why I kept to the middle lane - I know my father really hates those (eastbound, if I recall correctly, had a concrete "guardrail" on both sides).  I also have a coworker who told me her husband hates driving over the bridge so she has to do the driving over it...and they've done the trip several times.

I would especially dread driving over that bridge in very windy conditions, though.  Just makes me think of that crash on the Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia that happened recently...

[Beltway]

I would especially dread driving over that bridge in very windy conditions, though.

Well so would I but how often does that happen.  Hasn't happened to me yet in over 200 trips.  Depending on the definition of "very windy"; they close the bridge to traffic when high winds are forecast.

3000 posts

[jeffandnicole]

I just drove across the bridge for the first time today, was pretty impressed with the scale of it. While I don't recall seeing anyone pull over because I was not paying attention to that, I can certainly see how people with a fear of heights, or anxiety might be intimidated by it (particularly the narrower older span, and/or in adverse conditions.)

There are no shoulders on the CBB. Are you talking about the CBBT?

[Alps]

I would especially dread driving over that bridge in very windy conditions, though.

Well so would I but how often does that happen.  Hasn't happened to me yet in over 200 trips.  Depending on the definition of "very windy"; they close the bridge to traffic when high winds are forecast.

3000 posts

The scariest bridge I've ever driven on with wind is the Tydings Bridge. I stay in the middle lane because without shoulders, those nasty gusts easily push my small car 2 feet.

[Beltway]

The scariest bridge I've ever driven on with wind is the Tydings Bridge. I stay in the middle lane because without shoulders, those nasty gusts easily push my small car 2 feet.

So there are "nasty gusts" every time you cross over that bridge?  I crossed that at least 50 times in my 1968 VW Beetle (dating myself) and maybe I was just lucky but I don't recall having any problem with wind there.

Maybe next time I will be 'unlucky' and encounter an EF5 tornado when crossing.

[Alps]

The scariest bridge I've ever driven on with wind is the Tydings Bridge. I stay in the middle lane because without shoulders, those nasty gusts easily push my small car 2 feet.

So there are "nasty gusts" every time you cross over that bridge?  I crossed that at least 50 times in my 1968 VW Beetle (dating myself) and maybe I was just lucky but I don't recall having any problem with wind there.

Maybe next time I will be 'unlucky' and encounter an EF5 tornado when crossing.

Stop trying to intentionally be a dick in so many threads at once. You're spreading yourself too thin. I never said "every time". Let me know how you enjoy your EF5.