And so in due time a monster will rise up from the river…

For sometime now I have written much about various “metal and concrete” monsters, including the two that I have personally walked upon. And also there is the one that was struck down not quite a year ago in the dead of night, in addition to its unrealized replacement. But what is it that makes a bridge into a monster in my way of seeing? Is it the size, or the way it looks? Or might it be its history, or a combination of all of those factors? Can a bridge that has yet to be built still be considered a monster? Recently I was watching some online videos and I came across one depicting something that was utterly monstrous and creepy. And not just from my perspective, judging on the comments left by viewers. While this incident happened a few years ago, it is no less ominous looking now. It depicts the Verazzano Narrows Bridge in New York heaving and groaning almost like a living thing as it is being battered by gusty winds.

Here is the video: https://youtu.be/Rh90ik2JUQ8?si=RJu5OO456O0niTTI

This would indeed cement the reputation of this particular bridge as being a metal monster, both to me and some of the viewers of the clip. Its immense size and history would also be major contributing factors. And, according to travelers, the state of New York takes a monster sized bite out of the wallets of those who cross it! Here is another video of a bridge in China doing the same sort of scary thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pgCuLPzG5Q

Of course, both bridges were apparently able to handle the rough weather and were no worse for the wear, as befits their engineering. And no doubt they could have stood up to even higher winds. But still, videos like this stoke fear in those who are leery of crossing bridges. And even for those of us who aren’t afraid, such incidents tend to lend an aura of unease to these massive structures.

Then there are other considerations. When it comes to bridges, size does indeed matter. While there are some very sketchy and ramshackle looking pedestrian bridges out there in the world, they generally lack the scale to be truly intimidating. This also holds true for minor crossings intended for vehicles as well. There is a new bridge under construction in Detroit, Michigan that will connect that city to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. As it has yet to open, it has no working history, so that is not a factor. But what the Gordie Howe International Bridge lacks in history it far makes up for in size. It will be the largest bridge of its kind (cable stayed) in North America, as defined by span length. I’ve watched many drone videos of its construction and it is easy to see how it totally dominates the landscape around it. There is yet another aspect of this monumental bridge that also makes it into a monster, which is an ominous trait in its nature that its designers planned for. That is a topic to be explored at another time, though.

Then there is the history of a bridge. This can refer to one that is historical with regards to its age, its location or perhaps some notable event(s) that transpired on or near it. But there is also the dark and often hidden history of a bridge to consider; that which can be difficult to explore and is often intentionally concealed. Some large bridges have the former sort of historical record, while quite a few have the second kind, and some have both. I would say it would be hard to find too many bridges that don’t have a dark past. This darkness includes fatal accidents (including worker deaths during construction), murders, and of course the deaths of those who seek out such structures from which to jump and end their lives. It is that last sub-category that is officially hidden away and swept under the rug, so to speak. And that secrecy makes it somewhat difficult to spot. There are other clues that are much easier to see, which I will expand upon later.

The final marker of a monster can sometimes be attributed to its appearance. This, naturally, is very subjective. What one person considers beautiful, others will see that same thing as most unattractive. Or, what might be elegant can at the same time be seen as creepy (the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a great example of this). Most bridges are naturally much more about function as opposed to appearance, as it is necessary to satisfy requirements having to do with structural integrity, safety, maintenance, longevity and other aspects. Therefore, most are rather ordinary looking, especially suspension bridges, truss and arch bridges due to their ubiquity. On the other hand, cable stayed bridges lend themselves to more extreme designs and thus can fall outside of what is traditional. I think that the aforementioned type is far more likely to be monstrous because of that. The Talmadge Bridge in Savannah, Georgia was so utterly bizarre of a sight when I first saw it that it became a major memory of that trip. I’ll never forget the sight of it appearing on the horizon before me. If it is a monster (which it is, in my opinion), it is a concrete and steel “bride of Frankenstein” with a most freakish appearance. That which from a far distance might look perfectly normal, like the flesh and blood bride of Frankenstein of horror movie fame before the bandages came off. But once it is revealed in detail, an entirely different story is told.

The Talmadge Bridge in Savannah

And so in due time a monster of a bridge will rise up out of the Patapsco River and take shape, casting its enormous shadow upon the murky waters. While it won’t yet have any history, the link to its destroyed predecessor will always be a part of its past. Its size (much larger than the bridge it is replacing) and its appearance (it will almost surely be a cable stayed bridge) are enough to bestow upon the Key Bridge 2.0 the distinction of being a monster.

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