# Why was this bridge constructed like this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 1, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740 "2008-03-01T15:59:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/21 "2008-03-03T18:59:51Z")
I gotta add the [Coronado Bay Bridge in San Diego](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=coronado+bay+bridge&sll=32.652095,-117.152882&sspn=0.065329,0.159645&ie=UTF8&ll=32.692518,-117.153525&spn=0.016325,0.039911&t=h&z=15). That curves to 90 degrees. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/22 "2008-03-03T19:16:10Z")
[This](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=I-55+N+%26+briarwood+drive,+jackson,+mississippi&sll=32.379685,-90.146948&sspn=0.001871,0.003369&ie=UTF8&ll=32.380043,-90.147119&spn=0.001871,0.003369&t=h&z=18) little gem is a part of I-55 in Jackson, Miss. At the time of its construction, it had the most horizontal curvature of any federally-funded bridge in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/23 "2008-03-03T19:55:40Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] I gotta add the [Coronado Bay Bridge in San Diego](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=coronado+bay+bridge&sll=32.652095,-117.152882&sspn=0.065329,0.159645&ie=UTF8&ll=32.692518,-117.153525&spn=0.016325,0.039911&t=h&z=15). That curves to 90 degrees. [/QUOTE] What’s the big flotilla of little boats near the West end of the bridge? ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/24 "2008-03-03T20:46:41Z")
[QUOTE=Phase42] What’s the big flotilla of little boats near the West end of the bridge? [/QUOTE] It’s a marina. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/25 "2008-03-04T05:53:17Z")
I love this thread. When I was a kid I was terrified of bridges, but I’ve always loved interesting-looking bridges. This is not a bridge from one place to another, but I’m very curious as to [what this is in Sandy Hook Bay](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sandy+Hook+Bay&sll=40.427741,-74.049826&sspn=0.047696,0.069523&ie=UTF8&ll=40.450605,-74.0521&spn=0.095359,0.139046&t=h&z=13). I call it the Tuning Fork, and I just discovered it by accident one day, Google Earthing around. Is it to on and offload dangerous cargo? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/26 "2008-03-04T08:00:07Z")
That’s the ammunition depot pier at Naval Weapons Station Earle: > **[Naval Weapons Station Earle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Weapons_Station_Earle)** > > Naval Weapons Station Earle is a United States Navy base in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. Its distinguishing feature is a 2.9-mile (4.7 km) pier in Sandy Hook Bay where ammunition can be loaded and unloaded from warships at a safe distance from heavily populated areas. > The station is divided into two sections: Mainside, located in parts of Colts Neck Township, Howell Township, Wall Township, and Tinton Falls at .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-ou... ---
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/27 "2008-03-04T13:20:14Z")
After looking at the google maps picture u posted. I realized the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne. Is shaped a lot like that. (BTW I’ve been told the West Gate Bridge is the longest brige in the southern hemisphere). I Always thought it was constructed like that for strength and resistance from swaying. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740/28 "2008-03-04T15:56:46Z")
I second the Wow on that road in Spain, the one that was routed around the airport runway. I had to keep zooming out to see where it was. I’m proud to say that I guessed before the entire contours of the coastline became clear. [QUOTE=Nametag] That’s the ammunition depot pier at Naval Weapons Station Earle: > **[Naval Weapons Station Earle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Weapons_Station_Earle)** > > Naval Weapons Station Earle, originally known as the Naval Ammunition Depot Earle, is a United States Navy base in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. Its distinguishing feature is a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) pier in Sandy Hook Bay where ammunition can be loaded and unloaded from warships at a safe distance from heavily populated areas. > The station is divided into two sections: Mainside, located in parts of Colts Neck, Howell, Wall Township, and Tinton Falls at 40°15′00″N 74°09′00″W / 40.250... [/QUOTE] Thanks! What a shame there’s no picture of it on Wikipedia, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-bridge-constructed-like-this/439740.md?page=1)