Is the Bay Bridge the scariest bridge in America? (construction, living)

[bus man]

More than a few people are scared of the Bay Bridge; so much so that I've seen it listed as being among the scariest bridges in the country.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-B3j83ozJk

I'm not afraid of it, but I can see why some people would be. It's a poorly designed bridge. The lanes are narrow, there's absolutely no shoulder, the railings on the westbound span look like they could be knocked over in a stiff breeze, and there's the curve near the Western Shore that, when going eastbound, makes it look like you'll just shoot off the edge into the sky.

What do you think?

[Digger 68]

^
I don't feel that way about any of it. I have always though it's impressive, and wimps out on the eastern shore side do to location.

But it is way outdated.

Although I did not look further there was a bad back up that had to do with a police presence on Friday. (Jumper?)
And I'll bet that's what prompted this posting.

Maryland is going to have to grapple with the construction of another bridge. And other infrastructure issues like all states with large urban centers do.

I mean they are just paving side streets around here that haven't been repaved in decades. And this is not a rural area.....

[Digger 68]

Unrelated to the Bay Bridge, but I always thought it interesting how you can cross this bridge on foot......excellent Doc by the way.

[bus man]

Originally Posted by Digger 68

Unrelated to the Bay Bridge, but I always thought it interesting how you can cross this bridge on foot......excellent Doc by the way.

I agree, that documentary was quite moving. And that, by the way, is something that the Bay Bridge has in common with the Golden Gate Bridge: they're both prominent locations for suicides. Granted, tall structures are going to be draws for those who are intent on ending their lives; but neither of them have any kind of netting or anything else to prevent it.

[NJ2MDdude]

I've never had any issues crossing the Bay Bridge. But the major incidents on the bridge over the 15 years (the flatbed trailer that became unhitched; tractor trailer that plunged into the Bay; and the female driver whose car fell into the Bay) has made me more aware of the traffic around me as I cross the bridge.

Btw, the scariest bridge I've ever crossed was the Copper River Bridge in Charleston, SC.

[North Beach Person]

The Copper River bridge is worse.

As for the Bay Bridge's design, it has to be remembered that both spans were designed without the expectation traffic would increase exponentially like it has. It suffers from the same problem the Metro system does-living patterns, and therefore traffic changed in ways not predicted.

The Thomas Johnson bridge between Calvert and St. Mary's Counties has an almost daily situation where someone freezes up crossing it as well as its fair share of jumpers.

[santafe400]

Yes, I immediate through of the bridge that links St. Mary's and Calvert Counties near Solomon's Island. You couldn't pay me enough to drive my sports car across that bridge during/after an ice storm.

Most people probably don't notice, but most of the medium to larger bridge crossings in the state have a Suicide Hotline number sign posted at each entryway on that said particular bridge.

[BigCityDreamer]

It is one of the most fantastic looking bridges in America.

Totally underrated.

[DaveinMtAiry]

I am developing a stronger fear of heights as I age but I've never had a problem driving over bridges, that bridge in Charletson was absolutely beautiful. The only time I was a bit scared on our bridge was years ago going west bound on a motorcycle, I got into those metal grate things and didn't want to make the hard turn out of it so I had to ride it out. Lesson learned, don't do that.

[Willamette City]

There is a video of the Tacoma Narrows bridge swinging in the wind. Very scary video!