The Gibraltar Bridge

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Asher
The confederation bridge is too low and the columns too close together to allow for the kind of traffic the straits of Gibraltar get, I think.

Spot on, Asher.

[KrazyHorse]

Why? just increase height of nav section (it's already at 60 metres) and the columns are 250 metres apart (wider than any ship I know about)...

[red_jon]

Why don't we just build an escalator to nowhere, like the Simpsons?

[Asher]

The more columns you have, the more likely it is someone will smack into them.

When you've got HUGE ships like in the straights of Gibraltar you want ample space on either side of the seaway, no?

[Zoid]

As Asher said, super tankers need quite a bit of room to manuever, it takes 6 000 meters for them to go from full throttle to standstill after all. Quite a bit of inertia there...

[KrazyHorse]

a) No, I meant why 900 metres high.

b) There wouldn't be any problems directing traffic into 10 lanes, would there?

[KrazyHorse]

Kamrat, if you've got them set up into lanes then what's the problem? they just won't be able o steam at full throttle through strait...

[Zoid]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
a) No, I meant why 900 metres high.

b) There wouldn't be any problems directing traffic into 10 lanes, would there?

a) Most of the pylons would be under water, for support.

b) You never know. One of the things you don´t want on a bridge like this is a traffic jam. Better safe than sorry, hence the breakdown lanes.

[Asher]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Kamrat, if you've got them set up into lanes then what's the problem? they just won't be able o steam at full throttle through strait...

Manuevering in a large supertanker is pretty damn hard to do.

Plus you gotta think of the future http://popularmechanics.com/science/...ea/print.phtml

[Zoid]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Kamrat, if you've got them set up into lanes then what's the problem? they just won't be able o steam at full throttle through strait...

Eh, have you been drinking KH? The lanes are ON the bridge. For the cars...

[Asher]

I think KH is talking about just making lots and lots of shipping lanes, one in each section between pillars.

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Asher

Plus you gotta think of the future http://popularmechanics.com/science/...ea/print.phtml

That IS impressive...or foolish. I haven´t decided yet I think a norwegian oil millionaire have had a similar idea.

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Asher
I think KH is talking about just making lots and lots of shipping lanes, one in each section between pillars.

Ok! I thought he was referring to the stats...

[chequita guevara]

The more pillars, the more chances for a ship to hit one.

[Zoid]

It´s still a waste of concrete. The strait is 1000 meters deep at the center after all. The amount of concrete needed would be insurmountable.