- 6/25/2024
15 AMAZING Railroad Bridges
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00:00Hey everybody, today we're counting down the top 15 most amazing railroad bridges.
00:04Let's start with number 15, the Landwasser Viaduct.
00:07The Landwasser Viaduct, a single-track, six-arch limestone railway bridge spans the Landwasser River
00:14between Schmitten and Vilsöhr in Graubünden, Switzerland.
00:17Designed by Alexander Akatos and constructed by Müller and Seelörder from 1901 to 1902,
00:24this marvel is part of the Abula Railway, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
00:29The viaduct is 215 feet high and about 470 feet long, connecting directly to the Landwasser Tunnel.
00:35Now, a key feature is its pronounced curve with a radius of about 330 feet,
00:40and this is a minimum radius used on railway.
00:43The structure is composed of dark limestone with its six arches, each about 70 feet wide,
00:48resting on five tall pillars.
00:50The masonry volume of the viaduct is approximately 9,200 cubic meters, jointed with limestone.
00:56It is unique for its time.
00:57The construction of this viaduct employed cranes instead of scaffolding,
01:01and the limestone pillars were built around steel-reinforced cores.
01:05In 2009, 106 years after its completion, it underwent its first major renovation.
01:10This included repairing the masonry and track, facilitated by modular scaffolding.
01:15The single track, which has a gradient of about 2%,
01:17leads directly into the 710-foot-long Landwasser Tunnel at its southeastern abutment.
01:23The entrance is carved into a vertical rock wall, perfectly aligned with the viaduct,
01:27showcasing precise engineering of the era.
01:29It's also pretty cool that it was rightfully counted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
01:38The Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, is a remarkable viaduct in Sri Lanka.
01:45It stands as one of the finest examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
01:49Its construction is credited to local builder P.K. Apuhami,
01:53who worked in consultation with the British engineers.
01:56The project was led by D.J. Wimala Surendra, a notable engineer and inventor,
02:00while Harold Marwood of the Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway designed it.
02:06Built as a part of the Upcountry Railway Line project,
02:09the Nine Arch Bridge features prominently in the 1923 report
02:12Construction of a Concrete Railway Viaduct in Ceylon, published by the Engineering Association.
02:18This document details the construction records, including plans and drawings.
02:22Popular rumors suggest that construction halted when the Great War began,
02:26as the steel intended for the bridge was redirected to Britain's war efforts.
02:30Consequently, locals continued using stone bricks and cement, omitting steel except for the rails and pins.
02:37This unique construction method adds to the bridge's historical significance.
02:40The bridge's striking design and construction have made it a notable landmark.
02:44Its location amidst lush greenery near Ella enhances its scenic appeal,
02:49and it attracts numerous tourists and train lovers.
02:55The Hohenzollern Bridge, or Hohenzollernbrücke to the locals, spans the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany.
03:02Originally serving both railway and road traffic,
03:05the bridge was rebuilt for rail and pedestrian use only after its destruction in 1945.
03:10Today, it's the busiest railway in Germany, with over 1,200 train crossings daily.
03:15Constructed between 1907 and 1911, it replaced the older Cathedral Bridge,
03:19which couldn't handle the increased rail traffic.
03:22It's named after the House of Hohenzollern, the rulers of Prussia and German emperors.
03:26The bridge's construction was initiated by Paul von Breitenbach and continued under Rudolf Schmidt.
03:32Railway engineer Fritz Biermann led the project, with designs by Friedrich Dirksen.
03:37Kaiser Wilhelm II inaugurated the bridge on May 22, 1911.
03:41The bridge features three iron truss arches, accommodating four railway tracks and originally a road.
03:46It aligns with the central axis of Cologne Cathedral, maintaining the controversial location of its predecessor.
03:52Equestrian statues of Prussian kings and German emperors from the Hohenzollern family flank each ramp,
03:58symbolizing Prussian rule in the Rhine province.
04:01In the 1980s, the bridge was renovated to add two new tracks,
04:04a small portion of the old road ramp on the Deutz side was preserved,
04:08while the rest was converted into a pedestrian and bike path.
04:11Today, the bridge, at 1,342 feet long, remains a crucial and busy railway link, with its historical significance intact.
04:22Rising about 360 feet above the valley floor, the Veresk Bridge, or Polyvoresk in Persian,
04:28towers as an example of engineering excellence.
04:31Built between 1934 and 1935 under the guidance of Italian engineer Cesare Dell'Anni,
04:36this bridge played a vital role in linking Tehran to the Caspian Sea via the Trans-Iranian Railway Network.
04:42Perched atop the Veresk district of Savuka County in Mazadaran province,
04:47the bridge's impressive arch stretches 217 feet, supporting an overall length of 368 feet.
04:53Despite initial doubts about its stability, though, the completion of the bridge was celebrated with great enthusiasm.
04:59Legend has it that during the inaugural passage of the first train,
05:02the engineer and his family stood beneath the bridge, demonstrating their confidence in its integrity.
05:07Throughout its construction, the bridge faced both natural and man-made challenges.
05:11A devastating flood in the valley claimed many lives,
05:14while a powerful earthquake in 1935 caused significant damage to the construction site.
05:19However, those setbacks only underscored the resilience of those involved in the project.
05:23In the summer of 1935, Shah Reza Khan personally visited the bridge under construction,
05:29commending Cesare Dell'Anni for his leadership and vision.
05:32Despite the disruptions caused by World War II, the bridge endured,
05:36earning the moniker of Puli Pirozhi, or the Bridge of Victory.
05:40Number 11. Fourth Bridge.
05:43The Fourth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge, spanning the Firth of Forth in eastern Scotland,
05:48located about nine miles west of Edinburgh.
05:51Completed in 1890, it is an iconic symbol of Scotland,
05:54having been voted Scotland's greatest man-made wonder in 2016,
05:58and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
06:00Designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker,
06:04it's also known as the Fourth Rail Bridge, to distinguish it from the nearby Forth Road Bridge.
06:10Construction started in 1882, and the bridge was inaugurated on March 4th, 1890,
06:14by the Duke of Rothsay, the future Edward VII.
06:17The bridge carries the Edinburgh-Aberdeen lines across the Forth between South Queensferry and North Queensferry,
06:23stretching a total length of over 8,000 feet.
06:26When it was completed, it held the record for the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world,
06:30until the Quebec Bridge in Canada surpassed it in 1919.
06:34It does remain the second longest single cantilever span globally, with a central span of 1,709 feet.
06:40Owned by Network Rail, the Fourth Bridge features a double track, elevated 150 feet above the high tide.
06:47The structure includes the two main spans of 1,700 feet,
06:50two side spans of 680 feet, and 15 approach spans of 168 feet.
06:55The bridge's superstructure weighs about 50,000 long tons,
06:59incorporating over 6.5 million rivets and 640,000 cubic feet of granite.
07:04The three main cantilever structures, each standing about 360 feet tall, rest on separate granite piers.
07:10These piers were built using large diameter caissons.
07:13Those for the north cantilever, and two on the uninhabited island,
07:16act as a cofferdam, while others required compressed air to keep water out during construction.
07:21This bridge supports speeds of up to 50 miles per hour for high-speed trains,
07:2540 miles per hour for regular passenger trains, and 30 miles per hour for freight trains.
07:30It accommodates up to 190 to 200 trains per day as of 2006.
07:35The phrase, painting the Fourth Bridge, stems from the belief that repainting the bridge was a continuous task.
07:41However, between 2001 and 2011, the bridge received a new coating designed to last 25 years,
07:47ending the need for constant repainting.
07:51The Kinsua Bridge, or Kinsua Viaduct, was a railroad trestle
07:57spanning Kinsua Creek in McKean County, Pennsylvania.
08:00Standing at about 301 feet tall and over 2,000 feet long,
08:04it was once billed as the eighth wonder of the world.
08:07Originally built in 1882 from wrought iron,
08:10it held the title of the tallest railroad bridge in the world for two years.
08:14In 1900, the bridge was rebuilt using steel to support heavier trains, remaining in service until 1959.
08:20The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased it in 1963,
08:24making it the centerpiece of the Kinsua Bridge State Park.
08:27The bridge was designed by engineer Octave Chanute and constructed by the Phoenix Iron Works
08:32using patented hollow iron tubes, known as Phoenix Columns.
08:36This design led to the misconception that the bridge was made of wooden poles.
08:41The 110 sandstone piers quarried from the hillside supported the structure,
08:45and at its completion, six of the 20 towers were taller than the Brooklyn Bridge.
08:49Despite restoration efforts in 2002, a tornado struck in early 2003,
08:53causing much of the bridge to collapse.
08:55Corroded anchor bolts was the cause.
08:57They failed and contributed to the destruction.
08:59Before its collapse, though, the bridge was the fourth tallest railway bridge in the U.S.
09:03and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
09:07Rather than rebuild the bridge, Pennsylvania transformed the site into a visitor attraction,
09:12the Kinsua Skywalk.
09:13That was opened on September 15, 2011,
09:16and it features a pedestrian walkway leading to an observation deck with a glass floor.
09:20The skywalk, which cost about $4.3 million to construct,
09:23is expected to generate significant tourism revenue.
09:26The site still continues to draw visitors,
09:29showcasing the bridge's history and the power of natural forces.
09:36The Lachberg Line is a vital railway route in Switzerland,
09:39connecting Spies to the Canton of Bern with Brig in the Canton of Valais.
09:44Traversing over the Bernese Alps, it links the Bernese Oberland to Upper Valais
09:48via the Lachberg Tunnel.
09:49Along with the Simpland Tunnel south of Brig, it forms a crucial north-south axis in Europe.
09:54The Lachberg-based tunnel is part of the new railway links through the Alps
09:58that complement this line.
09:59The line features double-loop spiral tunnels in the Kander Valley on its northern approach
10:04and a challenging climb from the Rhône Valley,
10:06involving numerous tunnels and viaducts on its southern approach.
10:10The line reached its highest point at 4,070 feet above sea level,
10:14making it the highest standard-gauge railway in Switzerland.
10:17Construction began on 15 October 1906,
10:20led by the French consortium Enterprise du Lachberg.
10:23Initially, it was planned as a single track.
10:25The project shifted to a double-track layout during construction.
10:28The max gradient was set at 2.7%
10:31and curves were designed with a minimum radius of about 980 feet.
10:35The construction phase was fraught with danger.
10:38On 29 February 1908, an avalanche triggered by the construction
10:41killed 12 guests at a nearby hotel.
10:44Later that year, on 24 July, a collapse in a weak strata
10:47led to catastrophic flooding in the Lachberg Tunnel, claiming 25 lives.
10:52This disaster necessitated a realignment of the tunnel route to bypass this unstable area.
10:57It was originally slated to open on 1 March 1912.
11:00The line's inauguration was delayed due to the shift of a double-track design.
11:04A limited service began on 15 July 1913,
11:07with full service starting on 16 September 1913.
11:11The initial schedule included 16 trains,
11:13four of which were international express trains.
11:16Despite all the setbacks, though,
11:17the mountain railway continues to serve as a regional express train.
11:21The car ferry, subsidized by the Swiss government,
11:23compensates for the unbuilt road tunnel under the route wheel pass planned in the 1970s.
11:298. Fades Viaduct
11:31The Fades Viaduct, a towering structure perched above the Seele River,
11:35stands as an example of human skill and determination.
11:38This impressive railway bridge, completed in 1909, was a monumental undertaking.
11:43It spans a deep gorge in a north-by-south direction,
11:45and the viaduct reaches a height of nearly 302 feet.
11:48Its lattice truss, supported by two towering masonry piers,
11:52stretch across the chasm, creating a breathtaking spectacle of engineering.
11:56Construction began on 28 October 1901,
11:58under the direction of skilled engineers and laborers.
12:01Over the course of eight years, the bridge gradually took shape,
12:04with each component carefully crafted and assembled.
12:06One of the most challenging aspects of building it, though,
12:09was connecting the immense steel limbs mid-air.
12:11The weight of the overhanging sections caused the extremities to sag about 13 inches,
12:16necessitating correction.
12:17Hydraulic jacks, capable of lifting 300 tons each,
12:21were strategically positioned beneath the span and steelwork
12:24to facilitate the delicate alignment.
12:26Temperature fluctuations posed additional challenges during the closing operation,
12:30and as the sun's rays exerted differential heating on the structure,
12:33careful adjustments were necessary.
12:35The east side was closed during bright sunlight,
12:37while the west side, shaded at the time,
12:39required temporary closures with oversized bolts.
12:42Upon completion, the viaduct stood as a remarkable achievement
12:45for French bridge builders, a symbol of their skill and expertise.
12:48Its towering piers and monumental scale
12:51captured the imagination of all who beheld it.
12:54Moving on to number seven, the Pecos River Bridge.
12:57The Pecos High Bridge, often referred to as the Pecos Viaduct,
13:01is among the most iconic historic bridges in Texas.
13:04Upon its completion in 1892,
13:06it held the title of the highest bridge in the United States
13:08and the third-largest globally,
13:10standing at an impressive 322 feet and 10 3⁄4 inches.
13:14Strengthened in 1910 and 1929,
13:17this engineering marvel remained in continuous service
13:19as part of the nation's first southern transcontinental railroad
13:23until its replacement during World War II.
13:25The Pecos Viaduct was the second bridge to cross the Pecos River,
13:29addressing numerous challenges that the Galveston, Harrisburg,
13:32and San Antonio Railway faced since its lines opened in 1883.
13:36The initial crossing utilized a simple iron fairweather truss bridge
13:40at the bottom of the canyon,
13:41but the steep and sinuous tracks leading to this bridge
13:44were costly to maintain and operated under severe restrictions.
13:48Mayor James Converse, the general superintendent and chief engineer,
13:51spearheaded the efforts for a new crossing.
13:54In 1890, Converse conducted surveys
13:56and envisioned a high viaduct crossing further upstream.
13:59By February 1891, a contract for pier and footer construction
14:03was awarded to Ricker, Lee, and Company,
14:05using limestone and pink granite from Granite Mountain Quarry.
14:09The Phoenix Bridge Company began erecting the iron and steel structure
14:12in November 1891,
14:14using specially designed traveler apparatus to place the bridge sections.
14:18Completed in just 103 days,
14:20the 2,180-foot-long bridge cost over $250,000
14:24and featured a combination of cantilever and lattice spans.
14:28It officially opened on March 31, 1892,
14:31and quickly became a critical part of the railway network.
14:34A full-time watchman was assigned to maintain the bridge and ensure its safety,
14:38and despite reinforcements in 1910 and 1929
14:41to handle increased traffic and heavier loads,
14:43the viaduct was eventually deemed inadequate during World War II.
14:47The original Pecos Viaduct served as a standby structure
14:50until it was dismantled in 1949.
14:53While its exact fate varies in reports,
14:55it's believed that parts of the bridge were sold piecemeal
14:57to different states and scrap metal dealers,
15:00with some pieces possibly ending up in Guatemala
15:02or across the Wabash River in Indiana.
15:066. Goethek Viaduct
15:09The Goethek Viaduct is a railway trestle spanning the Goethek Gorge
15:12in the Shan State of Myanmar.
15:14It forms a critical part of the railway,
15:16connecting the former summer capital of British colonial administrators
15:19with Lashio, the principal town in the northern Shan State.
15:23The viaduct holds the distinction of being the highest bridge in Myanmar,
15:26and it was the largest railway trestle in the world at the time of its completion.
15:30It's situated about 63 miles northeast of Mandalay.
15:33Construction began in 1899,
15:35and it was carried out by the Pennsylvania and Maryland Bridge Construction Company,
15:39and it opened in 1900.
15:40The structural components were manufactured
15:42by the Pennsylvania Steel Company and shipped from the United States.
15:46This project aimed to extend the British influence in the region,
15:50and it was overseen by Sir Arthur Rendell,
15:52the former engineer for Burma Railway Company.
15:55The viaduct stretches over 2,260 feet in length
15:58and includes 15 towers, each spanning 39 feet,
16:01with one double tower extending 79 feet.
16:04The towers support the deck truss spans of 121 feet
16:07and six-plate girder spans of 59 feet.
16:10Although some sources claim the height of the bridge
16:12to be about 820 feet to the river level,
16:15which flows through an underground tunnel beneath the trestle,
16:18the actual height of the rail deck to the ground
16:20on the tallest tower's downstream side is 335 feet.
16:24The construction cost was just over $141,000.
16:28Due to the strategic importance of the railway line from Mandalay to Lashio,
16:32a diversionary route to the valley floor featuring horseshoe curves
16:35was constructed between 1976 and 1978.
16:39This was intended to ensure the continuation of train services
16:42even if the viaduct was sabotaged.
16:44The viaduct is an amazing steel structure that spans a deep river gorge,
16:48creating vertigo-inducing experiences for those who cross it.
16:51Renowned American writer Paul Thoreau described the viaduct as
16:55a monster of silver geometry and all the ragged rock and jungle
16:59in his 1975 book The Great Railway Bazaar.
17:02Trains continue to traverse this bridge daily,
17:05suspending riders above the deep ravine
17:07and offering a glimpse into the engineering marvels of the past.
17:11Number 5. Glenfinnan Viaduct
17:14The Glenfinnan Viaduct, located in the breathtaking West Scottish Highlands,
17:18holds a special place in the hearts of travelers
17:21and Harry Potter enthusiasts alike.
17:23Spanning the River Finnan at a height of 100 feet
17:26and stretching 416 yards in length,
17:29this magnificent structure was built from 1897 to 1901
17:32using mass concrete, a revolutionary construction material at the time.
17:37With 21 semicircular spans of 50 feet
17:40and a width of 18 feet between the parapets,
17:42it stands as the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland.
17:46Designed by McAlpin & Sons under the visionary leadership of Sir Robert McAlpin,
17:51affectionately known as Concrete Bob,
17:53the Glenfinnan Viaduct showcases the elegance of Victorian engineering.
17:57While the viaduct's architectural significance and backdrop
18:00make it a landmark in its own right,
18:02its fame skyrocketed following its appearance in the Harry Potter film series.
18:07Dubbed the Harry Potter Bridge by fans,
18:09it became synonymous with the Hogwarts Express,
18:12immortalizing the viaduct in popular culture.
18:15Scenes featuring the viaduct, the Hogwarts Express,
18:18and Arthur Weasley's flying Fort Anglia
18:20captured the imaginations of millions.
18:22However, this newfound fame brought some challenges.
18:25Eager fans sought to experience the magic firsthand,
18:28leading to some safety concerns.
18:30The British Transport Police erected signs to deter trespassing,
18:33emphasizing the viaduct's continued use as a vital railway.
18:36Despite those challenges, though,
18:38the Glenfinnan Viaduct remains a beloved destination
18:40for travelers and railway enthusiasts.
18:42The diesel-powered West Highland Line traverses it regularly,
18:45offering passengers unforgettable journeys through the Scottish countryside.
18:53The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge stands as a link
18:55between Canada and the United States,
18:57connecting the bustling downtown areas of Niagara Falls, Ontario
19:01and Niagara Falls, New York.
19:03Located about a mile north of the Rainbow Bridge,
19:05this spandrel-braced, riveted, two-hinged arch bridge
19:08serves as a crucial transportation artery.
19:11It was acquired by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission in January 1959.
19:15The bridge has two decks,
19:16an upper deck for railway traffic
19:18and a lower deck designated for passenger vehicles.
19:21Residents of the region favor this crossing
19:23due to its convenient access and exclusive use for vehicles.
19:26However, commercial vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited from using it.
19:30Operated under the Nexus Trusted Traveler Program,
19:33the bridge facilitates seamless border crossings for its members.
19:36Vehicles entering Canada must pay a $5 toll electronically
19:39using an account linked to their E-ZPass transponder or Nexus card.
19:43With one lane of traffic to each country
19:45and two inspection lanes at each end,
19:47the bridge efficiently manages the flow of traffic
19:49between Canada and the U.S.
19:51The bridge has a rich history.
19:53With its predecessor, the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge,
19:56serving as the world's first working railway suspension bridge.
19:59That was designed by civil engineer Leffert L. Buck.
20:02The replacement bridge adopted the arch design,
20:04which was more cost-efficient.
20:06Over the years, the bridge has undergone extensive refurbishments
20:09to ensure its integrity and safety.
20:11Major maintenance tasks,
20:12including repairing and replacing steel beams,
20:15sandblasting and painting,
20:16were carried out in November 2009.
20:19Despite the presence of the disused Michigan Central Railway Bridge upstream,
20:23the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge remains a critical lifeline
20:25for transportation and commerce
20:27between Canada and the United States,
20:29embodying the spirit of cooperation
20:31and connectivity across borders.
20:37The Lethbridge Viaduct,
20:39affectionately known as the High Level Bridge,
20:41stands as an example to engineering prowess
20:44spanning the picturesque Oldman River
20:46in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
20:48Constructed between 1907 and 1909
20:50by the Canadian Pacific Railway,
20:52this structure holds the distinction
20:54of being the largest railway structure in Canada
20:56and the world's largest of its kind.
20:59Over a century since its completion,
21:01this viaduct continues to serve as a vital link
21:03in Canada's railway network.
21:05Before it graced the skyline,
21:07the main railway crossing over the Oldman River
21:09was a wooden trestle,
21:10a relic of a bygone era,
21:12measuring over 2,900 feet in length
21:14and 66 feet in height.
21:16However, the original line proved to be both costly
21:18and operationally challenging,
21:20prompting the CPR to embark
21:21on a new visionary project.
21:23This ambitious new route constructed
21:25north of the Oldman River required construction
21:27of two monumental bridges,
21:29one in Lethbridge, the High Level Bridge,
21:31and another west of Monarch.
21:33Designed by the CPR's bridge department
21:35in Montreal, Quebec, under the guidance
21:37of Assistant Chief Engineer John Edward Schweitzer,
21:40the Lethbridge Viaduct embodied
21:42innovation and precision.
21:44Construction started in 1907
21:46with meticulous planning.
21:48The steelwork, prefabricated by the Canadian
21:50Bridge Company of Walkerville, Ontario,
21:52was transported to the site via
21:54645 railway cars.
21:56Assembling the steelwork required the expertise
21:58of 100 workers, aided by
22:00colossal erection travelers,
22:02a specialized crane that facilitated the precise
22:04placement. The completion of the
22:06viaduct in 1909 marked a monumental
22:08achievement. With a total cost
22:10of $1.3 million,
22:12its significance transcended
22:14its practical utility, becoming a
22:16timeless symbol of progress.
22:18Over the decades, the Lethbridge Viaduct
22:20has captured the imaginations of locals.
22:22Its towering presence is a reminder of
22:24Canada's rich railway heritage.
22:26It's also been immortalized in popular culture.
22:28The viaduct's majestic arches have
22:30graced the screens, including a notable
22:32appearance in the 2023 TV series
22:34The Last of Us.
22:40The Ponbon Bridge, an engineering marvel
22:42and a vital artery of connectivity,
22:44is an example of India's rich railway
22:46heritage. Spanning the waters of
22:48Rameswaram on Pemban Island
22:50and Mandapam on mainland India,
22:52this iconic structure has been a part of the
22:54nation's transport network since its inauguration
22:56in February of 1914.
22:58As India's first sea bridge,
23:00it held the distinction of being the longest
23:02sea bridge in the country until the advent of the
23:04Bandra-Warl Sea Link in 2010.
23:06For decades, this bridge served
23:08as the sole surface transport link
23:10connecting to mainland India until
23:12when a parallel road bridge was constructed.
23:14However, the bridge's legacy
23:16was not without its challenges.
23:18In 1964, the ferocity of the
23:20cyclone inflicted substantial damage
23:22to the bridge, necessitating extensive
23:24repairs. Over the years,
23:26the Ponbon Bridge underwent several upgrades
23:28and strengthening initiatives to adapt to
23:30the evolving transportation needs.
23:32Notable among these was the comprehensive
23:34strengthening undertaken in 2009,
23:36which enhanced the bridge's capacity to
23:38accommodate heavier freight trains.
23:40Despite these efforts, the aging infrastructure
23:42renewed scrutiny in the wake
23:44of structural concerns, prompting
23:46the authorities to initiate plans for a new
23:48railway bridge in 2020.
23:50The decision to construct a modern replacement
23:52bridge near the original bridge underscored
23:54India's commitment to infrastructure
23:56modernization. However,
23:58the urgency of the situation became apparent
24:00in December of 2022, when railway
24:02transportation on the bridge was permanently
24:04suspended due to significant corrosion.
24:06This development underscored the
24:08imperative of the expedited construction
24:10of the new bridge to restore its vital
24:12railway connectivity.
24:18The Victoria Falls Bridge,
24:20a marvel nestled beneath the majestic
24:22Victoria Falls, serves as a vital
24:24link between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
24:26It was constructed in 1905,
24:28and it stands as a symbol of connectivity
24:30between the two nations.
24:32Cecil Rhodes, a visionary behind the bridge,
24:34envisioned it as a crucial component
24:36of his ambitious Cape to Cairo
24:38railway scheme. Although Rhodes
24:40never set foot near the falls himself,
24:42his vision for the bridge was realized
24:44through the ingenuity of engineers and the
24:46labor of countless workers. Designed
24:48by George Andrew Hobson of Sir
24:50Douglas Fox and Partners, the bridge
24:52has a central arch with a parabolic curve
24:54spanning over 515 feet
24:56across the Zambezi River.
24:58It was prefabricated in England by the
25:00Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company
25:02and transported to the site, where it was
25:04assembled over a period of just 14 months.
25:06Upon completion, the bridge was officially
25:08opened on 12 September 1905
25:10by Professor Sir
25:12George Darwin, son of the renowned
25:14scientist Charles Darwin.
25:16655 feet in length and towering
25:18425 feet above the river
25:20gorge, the Victoria Falls Bridge is
25:22not only a feat of engineering, but it's also a
25:24vital transportation artery.
25:26It accommodates both road, railway, and
25:28foot traffic, serving as the vital railway
25:30link between Zambia and Zimbabwe
25:32and just one of three road links between
25:34the two countries. During the Rhodesian
25:36Unilateral Declaration of Independence
25:38crisis and the subsequent crises,
25:40the bridge did face closures and
25:42disruptions, but peace talks even
25:44took place aboard train carriages suspended
25:46above the gorge for nearly 10 hours in
25:481975. But despite those
25:50challenges, freight and road services resumed
25:52in 1980. Today, the bridge
25:54continues to captivate visitors with its rich
25:56history and its amazing views.
25:58Guided tours offer insights into its
26:00construction and significance. On the
26:02Zambian side, the small museum provides
26:04some further context, while thrill seekers
26:06can experience the adrenaline rush of
26:08bungee jumping and zip lining from the bridge's
26:10heights. Despite its age, the
26:12Victoria Falls Bridge has an
26:14enduring presence. It serves as a reminder
26:16of the bonds between nations and the
26:18transformative power of infrastructure.
26:20As visitors stand upon it, gazing
26:22out over the roaring waters of the Zambezi
26:24River, they're reminded of the bridge's
26:26timeless significance in connecting people
26:28and cultures across borders.
26:30Thanks for watching, everyone.
26:32I'll see you next time.
26:34Thank you to our channel members.
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