Alan Olee Book Report

While poking around on the internet looking for underwater cities – hey I’m not even going to start considering a personal submarine until there are some underwater cities to party in – I stumbled across Shimizu Construction out of Japan; my kind of company.  They have plans for moon colonization, upper atmosphere party zones, a pyramid in the sky, energy production from the moon (don’t get me started! – microwaves from the moon…Google it!), and of course, they have plans for a complete, stand-alone, massively awesome underwater city.  http://www.archdaily.com/573755/will-shimizu-corporation-s-futuristic-deep-sea-city-concept-sink-or-swim/

Dreamers?  High-Minded Concept types?  Distant-Future Publicly-Funded Think-tank tripe?  Guess again.  How about Commercial Construction Company!   You can check out the link to Archdaily above to find out about their plans for underwater city construction; but today we’re going to check out five of their bridge projects they have built around Asia.  Because bridges are cool; and massive ginormous bridges are even better.  I think you will like these bridges.  I do.

Rupsha Bridge Khulna, Bangladesh

Completed:  May 2005
Length: 1.4 km
Effective Width: 13.5m

Rupsa Bridge in Khulna, Bangladesh http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7174468

Image Courtesy Shimizu Corporation https://www.shimz.co.jp/english/theme/bridges/rupsa.html

Lets cross it!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYMUir3F6fk

Binh Bridge, Hai Phong Vietnam

Completed: 2005
Length: 1,280m
Effective Width: 22.5m

http://www.panoramio.com/user/6042474?show=all

Image Courtesy Shimizu Corporation

“Hai Phong is a port city located about 100 km southeast of the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. With a population of approximately 1.7 million, it is the third largest city in Vietnam. Before the Binh Bridge, the city was divided in two by the Cam River, which runs east-west through the city, and all traffic crossed the river on ferries. ” From Shimidzu website.

Malaysia-Singapore, Second Crossing Bridge

Completed: 1997
Length: 1,734m
Effective Width: 13.5 X 2 (Inbound and Outbound)

“When traveling between Singapore and Malaysia, there is no more convenient way to go than the easily accessible Second Link. Broad expressways provide a fast, smooth crossing, while the various facilities offer all the convenience and comfort you require on your journey. Second Link is the obvious choice for both people and goods crossing between Singapore and Malaysia.” http://www.malaxi.com/about_secondlink.html

Bai Chay Bridge, Vietnam

Completed: 1997
Length: 1,734m
Effective Width: 13.5m X 2 (Inbound and Outbound)

“The Bãi Cháy Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge on Highway 18, connecting Hồng Gai with Bãi Cháy over the Cửa Lục Straits, separating Cửa Lục Bay with Hạ Long Bay, the territory of Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam.

This is the type of cable-stayed bridge which has two outer span, reinforced concrete box beams prestressed with the width of the world record pace for this type of bridge.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A3i_Ch%C3%A1y_Bridge

Pakse Bridge, Laos

Completed: 1997
Length: 1,734m
Effective Width: 13.5m

Image Courtesy Shimizu Corporation

And we’ll cross this one too!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTT8sfQ7F4g

So there you have it.  If big dogs like Shimizu are looking into my little pet projects, expect them.  It’s only a matter of time!