Scary fact: many of the bridges built during the 1950’s through the 1970’s as part of the construction of the interstate highway system were designed with a 50-year lifespan. A lot of those bridges are still in use, even though they are years past their life expectancy. And they are often carrying more vehicles than they were originally designed to handle.
Even bridges that are well-maintained can pose a threat because of narrow lanes, wind, visibility issues or steepness. Here are a few of America’s most terrifying bridges. Drivers, you’ve been warned!
America’s Scariest Bridges
The Astoria-Megler Bridge
This bridge, located between Oregon and Washington, was built in 1966. When the bridge was completed, it was the longest continuous-truss bridge in the world. Poor weather conditions make this bridge dangerous. High winds have actually toppled trucks on this bridge.
The Huey P. Long Bridge
Though the bridge has recently been widened, many drivers have horror stories about the Depression-era structure. Originally designed to accommodate Model-T’s when it was built in 1932, exceptionally narrow lanes made this bridge both nerve-wracking and dangerous to cross until it was widened in 2013.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge, built in 1960, is one of the most notoriously frightening bridges in the country. Low guardrails, narrow lanes and high winds have made this bridge so terrifying that many 4 wheel drivers are willing to pay $25 to have someone else drive their own vehicle across the structure for them.
Sources:
Travel & Leisure Magazine
NY Daily News
Encyclopedia Brittanica
NOLA.com
The Daily Mail