Konichiwaneko

http://www.esa.int/export/esaEO/SEMQ....html#subhead1

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Crisis

As cool as it looks it doesn't fit in with the surrounding scenery. It just looks awkward.

Hanabal

i dont know, it kinda fits with the rolling white cloud effect going on.

without the clouds it might be a little strange

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mingusfingers

Wow, that is big. Where is it?

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M.T. Promises

It's in southern France, the link has the info.

Konichiwaneko

Hoping I could avoid mentioning this. It's French.

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vorpal_rabbit

Ah, those wacky French... Is there nothing they can't do?

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Asuka{eve}

I really like it !

Schwan

These is one of the best things in architecture (or rather enginering) that I saw in a while. Now I'm pretty much set on driving down to France this year just to see that monster.

Macheath

French eh? I'm at a point now where I just assume these kind of architectural wonders are either Japanese or Chinese.

Kudos to the French.

Pip

Bridge pr0n oh yeah! Might be worth a little trip to France some day.

omega2K4

That looks neat against the clouds. I'd hate to see a low-flying helicopter or airplane crash into it when there is heavy fog.

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bermuDa

in one of the more recent issues of wired magazine there were photos of about 5 or 6 really awesome looking bridges, this being one of them... the issue also had an interesting interview with the guy who wrote the bit torrent protocols.

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canuckguy

that is awesome. great pic, bridges keep getting longer and taller. crazy stuff

john_713

Wow very impressive! Not just the bridge though, that picture is quite something with the bridge disappearing into the fog (y)

desal75

And to think, here in Buffalo, we can't even agree to build a bridge

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Charlatan

I can't wait to drive on it...

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Bratwurst

Can someone photochop those people out of the bottom right? Its the only thing to me that doesn't look good in that pic.

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jbw97361

ok, i'll make the obligatory french joke...

~~ and the bridge surrenders~~~

Anyways, it does look pretty cool, although it does seem a little out of place. Perhaps a nice, roman style arch bridge would better?

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JBW

jimbob

Actually the design is by Lord Foster, a Brit!

About whether it fits with its surroundings...I really don't think one could create something that big and functional that blends in. Jacques Chirac said when opening the bridge that a beautiful place deserves a beautiful bridge, which is a nice sentiment. In Britian we'd just have something as cheap as possible.

splck

6 posts in and the first lame anti-French quip appears

I think it's a fantastic bridge. Good on them for choosing to go with some style. It'll make the drive South way faster I'm sure.

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nice line eh?

Terminal Frost

Yeah, you have got to expect anti-French comments being that this is an American board. Too bad that the best thing we have over hear is an old orange-colored bridge in California. I think that bridge is very cool looking. And how would you make it fit in any better? Paint it green? Shape it like a tree? I think the multiple triangles work well in a mountain area.

Schwan

Wow, I haven't noticed that. Indeed, they do blend in with the hills in the back. Also, to reffer to an earlier post, I think the stone columns might be a reference to roman aqueducts. The whole thing has an aqeduct-ish vibe going. Sort of like old meets new.

moot1337

Wow... that is quite an example of great architecture/artwork... that giant thing looks beautiful from that angle. Hope there are lights on the spires for aircraft Reminds me of something out of everquest... <img src="http://ugoslow.homestead.com/files/eqbackground.jpg" height="480" width="640">

Konichiwaneko

I don't think it's a anti-French quip, I capatilized the F which makes it almost respectful.

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Zephyr66

that is an amazing peice of photography splck, the fog totally works with the colour of the bridge

buclao

I don't think anybody has asked so I will...

What's the first picture supposed to be off? I mean, it's the bridge right? But where is the bridge?

Konichiwaneko

it's in a valley in france, the first picture is a satellite photo

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Mephisto2

and
And just to stir the post a bit

BBC slide-show of the bridge: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4095037.stm


Mr Mephisto


PS - If you don't know where the Massif Central is, it's a mountain range in the centre of France, south of Paris.

alpha666

yep .... that's a bridge alright! one big fuck off bridge! !!! base lends it's self to some rather full on base jumping no doubt!

arch13

It's a satilite image of the bridge spaning the valley.

The scale of this acheivment is astounding. Even the pictures do no service to it's true size.
Ponder for a moment:
This bridge is longer than the island of Manhatten is wide.

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skier

Two words:

Base Jump

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yatzr

the pictures are amazing. Was the bridge really worth the cost though?

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Konichiwaneko

Sometimes practicality should be put on hold. In a situation like this I think this bridge is beautiful and a testament to human design.

Decadence, oh by all means, but I really don't care for having the greyest and most effecient design there.



Concerning the anti-french statements I made earlier, I was having fun. If anyone gets that offended easily I really pity you.

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appleseed

Wow. There is a bridge that looks just like that in Milwaukee, has been there for a few years. Of course it isn't nearly that long, but the raked spires and the sail-like tension cables are eerily similar. Here's a photo:

Cynthetiq

I live right on the East River, next to the Williamsburg bridge with my windows facing the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges...

I didn't understand how much they would one day mean to me and I don't ever cross them... but they are very important to some people.

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pinkie

It's fabulous! I love it.

splck

But you said it wasn't anti-French quip? LOL.. Anyways, thinking anyone gets offended is a stretch. I knew someone would say something anti-French as soon as I saw the subject of the thread and you only proved me correct.

Here's another pic. I never thought about BASE jumpers, but I'm sure they are eyeing this bridge with glee.

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nice line eh?

castex

Those froggies do seem to be good at cable-stayed bridges. Here's the Pont de Normandy, an hour from us by Le Havre, and the longest of its kind when built in '95:



Here's how we used to do this sort of thing, a little fussier I'm sure you'll agree.


That was the Forth Road Bridge just north of Edinburgh. More to my taste is the absolute stunner sitting just next to it, for trains and built in 1890:

I just love over-engineering (cf. Tay Bridge disaster). Did anyone else spot this beauty in GTA San Andreas? Cheeky buggers!

Here they are together.

Thermopyle

Pont de Normandy, I crossed it this summer. Spectacular. Vive la France!!!

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