A bridge is a structure built to span a valley, road, railroad
track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle, for the purpose of
providing passage over the obstacle. Designs of bridges will vary depending on
the function of the bridge and the nature of the terrain where the bridge is to
be constructed.
There are six main types of bridges: beam bridges, cantilever
bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges and truss
bridges.
C
uracao Bridges:
Queen Emma Bridge
Origin—Built in 1888 by Leonard Burlington Smith, and
named after Queen Emma (1890–1898), this bridge connects the Punda and
Otrobanda districts.
Points of interest—16 floating pontoon boats support the “Pontoon
Bridge.” Also known as the “Swinging Old Lady,” it swings open using two
powerful ship motors, allowing ships to access the port. From 1901 to
1934, people had to pay a toll to cross the bridge — with the exception
of pedestrians going barefoot. When the bridge is open to let ships from
the harbour pass, pedestrians are transported free of charge by the
ponchi, a small ferry.
The bridge has recently been restored to its glory. All asphalt was
taken off and replaced by original wooden boards, the pontoons were
repaired or replaced, and at night the "swinging old lady" now swings in
living color with her new lights.
Queen Juliana Bridge
Origin—Named after Queen Juliana (1948–1980). After almost a decade of
construction, the bridge officially opened on Queen’s Day, (April 30)
1974.
Points of interest—One of the highest bridges in the world, at 185 feet
above the sea level of St. Anna Bay to accommodate the tanker ships
entering the narrow harbour, the Queen Juliana weighs 3,400 tons and has
four traffic lanes. The view is breathtaking, and includes the entire
panorama of Punda, Otrobanda, and the Schottegat.
Queen Wilhelmina Bridge
Origin—Named after Queen Wilhelmina (1890–1945), this
bridge was built in 1928 to link the commercial area of Punda with the
old residential neighborhood of Scharloo.
The new bridge L.B. Smith Curacao D.C.
Dam. Rep. Mauricio B?z Bridge :
The Mauricio B?z Bridge is a Cable-stayed bridge
near San Pedro de Macoris, located in the east of the Dominican
Republic, around 40 km east of the capital city of Santo Domingo. It is
one of the most modern bridges in the Dominican Republic and the
Caribbean. It replaces an old suspension bridge. (seen on the image)
The cost of the bridge was around RD$1 billion, and paid for by the
SEOPC (Secretary of State for Public Works and Communications) after the
approval of President Leonel Fernandez. It was opened on January 19,
2007. It is cable-stayed bridge with the longest span in Caribbean.
Barbados The Chamberlain Bridge:
The Chamberlain Bridge was erected in 1872 and was a
swing bridge operated by two persons, allowing entry into the inner
basin of the Careenage. In 2006 the Chamberlain Bridge was replaced with
a modern lift bridge.
Cuba Bacunayagua bridge
Bacunayagua is a placename in northern Cuba. It marks
the boundary between the Havana Province and Matanzas Province.
The small settlement was established on the side of the Via Blanca
(road), where a deep canyon cuts the coastal hills between the Yumuri
Valley and the Straits of Florida coast. The Bridge of Bacunayagua,
inaugurated in September 1959, crosses the canyon, and at 110 meters
above the valley floor is the highest bridge in Cuba.
A restaurant with an observation deck is built on the Havana side, while
a campground lies in the cove formed on the coast on the Matanzas side.
