The Bridge Fantasy

My fascination with bridges dates pretty far back. People who have known me long enough would volunteer several stories about me wanting to take irritating detours on an already long drive just to go over a bridge, waking up in the night while traveling on a train at the slightest sound of crossing over a bridge, identifying cities by the landmark bridges it has and several others!

A couple of days ago, I made another one of those exciting trips to one of my most favorite bridges. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis. This rekindled some of those buried passions. So here's a small tribute to that passion, a list of my all time top 5 favorite bridges on Indian and American rivers.

#5 India - Howrah Bridge

(Photo Courtesy: http://www.isical.ac.in/~fire/images/howrah-bridge.jpg)

When I was 10, I made my first ever trip to the fourth metro in the country. Calcutta. Before people jump that there are more than 4 metros in India, let me remind you that the weather news on Doordarshan showed the temperatures for the metros of the country. And there were only four of them. Delhi, Bombay, Madras and Calcutta! Anyway before I get sidetracked, I was very excited about going to Calcutta. Partly because it was the only metro I hadn't been to. But mainly because I got to see the Howrah bridge. This was one of the most fascinating road bridges to me during those times. It is a cantilever bridge having two links which were supported on either ends of the bridge. Mainly because it is a draw bridge which is supposed to open up to let the ships through. It was during this trip that I first learned the significance of all the big structures on top of the bridge (which I later found out are called trusses) and how they support and distribute the load of the bridge. However I didn't get to drive on this bridge. I was too young to be legally allowed. So this one gets a spot at number 5!

#5 United States - Girard Point Bridge

(Photo Courtesy: http://www.pennways.com/I95_PA_CS_Compl.html)

I have been driving to New York/New Jersey from Maryland for over 3 years now. This trip happens atleast once a month (My aunt will want to disagree! But its true! :D). On some occasions, I drive through Philadelphia to avoid paying Toll on the New Jersey Turnpike. On my way to NJ, I have to pass through the Girard point bridge before entering Philly. This bridge has a roof on top. For the longest time, I used to wonder why I didn't pass the bridge with the roof on top on my way back to MD. (Lack of attention to detail?) Then on one trip it hit me! This is a two tier bridge! WOW! Lower level Northbound and upper level Southbound! I wouldn't go as far to say that this is a beautiful bridge but its certainly fun to drive through. Especially on the way back to MD! Number 5 for this one!

#4 India - Nehru Setu

(Photo courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53847312@N00/3708153816)

When I was around 8, my grandparents wanted to do the whole pilgrimage thing in Allahabad, Kashi and Gaya. So I got to take a week off from school and go to all the temples in Kashi (There were like 50 banks on the river shore and a temple on each of those banks) and bathed in the waters of river Ganga at each of those banks. Boring as the trip was, there was still a good thing about it. On our way to Gaya from Varanasi, I got to see the THEN longest rail bridge in the country. The Nehru setu in a city called Dehri-on-Sone. The bridge spans about 3.065 kms. (There is now one in Kochi which stands at 4.65 kms. Due to be commissioned in November this year) There was no water in the river that it was built over. So that was quite disappointing. The view wasn't all that great either. But it was still a fun bridge. So it gets a spot at number 4.

#4 United States - Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge

(Photo Courtesy: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CpgfvNt72cK9cg8Ot9WjMA)

This is another bridge on my way to New Jersey from Maryland. The beauty of the bridge is mainly attributed to the refreshing view it provides when you are driving through it. There is about a 60 degree turn before entering the bridge. After the turn the bridge starts and you feel like you are driving straight into the horizon! Even in the winter it is all green! Its one of the most awesome natural views on my way up north! Gets a spot at number 4.

#3 India - Kaveri river bridge in Trichy

(Photo Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trichy_Kaveri_Rail_Bridge.jpg)

When I was much younger, we used to take a trip to our hometown in Tamilnadu. A village called Ayikudi which was about 100 kms north of Kanya Kumari. This was a three day train journey from Delhi. We used to take a two night train to Madras from Delhi. Spend the entire day there. Then take another overnight train to our final destination. On the last leg, we pass through this city called Tiruchirapalli (Trichy). This came in the middle of the night. I would have my mom wake me up when we were to pass through Trichy so I could check out the Kaveri river bridge. It was one of the longer bridges on that leg of the journey. It was a lot of fun to look forward to waking up in the middle of the night to check out a bridge. I remember a particular year when I was so angry at my mom for not waking me up to see Trichy that I didn't talk to her for two days after that. How could she have slept off? Number 3 for you my dear Trichy Kaveri river bridge!

#3 United States - Delaware Memorial bridge

(Photo Courtesy: http://64.66.172.39/images/Delaware_Memorial_Bridge_DSC_0101.jpg)

My most favorite bridge on my way to New Jersey from Maryland. The road leading up to it is horrible. ALWAYS under construction. That's Delaware for you my friend. I usually decide about 5 miles away from this bridge whether it is worth taking the trouble of passing through the traffic and pay the additional toll on New Jersey Turnpike to go through this bridge. Or should I go through Philly and pass through the Girard Point bridge instead. Inspite of the lesser traffic and lower toll if I take Girard Point bridge, I have chosen to take Delaware Memorial bridge about half the time. Beautiful bridge! If not for the traffic before the bridge, it may have found a better spot. Number 3 for Del. Mem. Br.

#2 India - Krishna river bridge in Vijayawada

(Photo Courtesy: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/333397825_666b17d14c.jpg)

This is the other bridge on my way to my hometown from Delhi. We get to go on this bridge on the second night of Tamilnadu express, our train of choice while travelling to Madras from Delhi. When I was younger and did not anticipate the inconvenience of the heat during the summer months especially while traveling on trains, I used to HATE traveling in the Air conditioned coaches. The windows of those coaches always blurred my view of the majestic Krishna river bridge during the night. But every alternate year my dad's company did not pay for Air conditioned travel. So I got to happily enjoy the view of my second most favorite bridge in India!

#2 United States - Chesepeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

(Photo Courtesy: http://www.stateandfed.com/E_Newsletter/2008/E_News_10_2008.htm)

About three years ago, I went on one of my first 6 hour long drives! We rented a car from Philly and drove to Virginia beach. Two cars. Four people in each car! It was loads of fun. On our way to Virginia beach we passed through this bridge which suddenly became a tunnel and then became a bridge again! Fascinating! It was beautiful. Being dark outside, it was all lit up and looking wonderful. I had no idea that I had just driven through a very famous bridge tunnel. Being unexpected made those one of the best 23 miles I have driven through. Spot number 2!

#1 India - Airoli bridge

(Photo Courtesy: http://shutterbug.nu/photos/misc_airoli01.jpg)

My most favorite bridge in India is a slightly less popular choice! It is not so much about the BRIDGE itself. Rather it is the fact that this was the bridge where I rode a motorcycle fastest in India! The adjacent photograph shows the straightness of this bridge and the view it offers at the time when we used to ride on it! I did 110 kmh on my cousin's Hero Honda Splendor on this road. Illegal? Of course! Fun? Of course to the power infinity! The motorcycle was vibrating like crazy. It was scary like hell! I don't think that machine was meant to go that fast! But those were some of my last days of living in Bombay. And consequentially in India as well! Therefore an obvious First place!

#1 United States - Chesepeake Bay Bridge

(Photo Courtesy: http://scrink.com/blog/private/uploaded_images/baybridge-782939.jpg)

Whether people who have visited me in DC have seen the White house or not, they have certainly accompanied me on a trip to the Bay bridge near Annapolis. This is my most favorite bridge. I have made so many trips driving from home to this bridge, taking the exit immediately after and driving back home! 90 miles and One and a half hour of unadulterated driving pleasure! And the highest point is exactly in the middle of that whole trip. On the way into the bay, It has an entry zone which is a ~60 degree turn into the main part of the bridge. During this turn, you can see the bridge in its entirety. Beautiful! It obviously deserves the top spot!

I have always found it hard to decide what I like more. Rail bridges or road bridges. Rail bridges are awesome. I love the sound the train makes when it goes over a bridge. Sleeping on a train is almost impossible for me! Mainly because every now and then the train would make this sound of going over a bridge and I would want to check out the bridge. However road bridges are usually a lot of fun. Especially IF i get to drive on them!

There was a point during my freshman year of undergrad when I was seriously contemplating changing my major from Mechanical Engineering to the slightly less preferred Civil Engineering. I didn't go through with that. At this point, although I would rather make robots for a living, I have a long list of bridges I would like to drive/take a train through!