Mexico inaugurates world's highest cable-stayed bridge

***wjfox*** · January 6th, 2012, 01:40 PM

Mexico inaugurates world's highest cable-stayed bridge

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has inaugurated the world's highest cable-stayed bridge.

The 403m (1,321ft) tall Baluarte bridge spans a deep ravine in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in the north.

It is part of a new highway crossing some of Mexico's most rugged terrain, from Mazatlan on the Pacific Coast to Durango in the interior.

The cable-stayed bridge is so tall that the Eiffel Tower would easily fit under its central span.

"This project will unite the people of northern Mexico as never before," President Calderon said at the inauguration ceremony.

Officials from the Guinness World of Records were on hand to present him with an award recognising the engineering feat.

Watch video - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16434200

***wjfox*** · January 6th, 2012, 01:41 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baluarte_Bridge

image hosted on flickr

alonzo-ny · January 6th, 2012, 02:03 PM

That so doesn't count. It is a seriously awesome bridge but the Millau viaduct wipes its arse with that.

Langur · January 6th, 2012, 05:52 PM

I'd agree that the Millau Viaduct is a more impressive bridge structure, but, taken together with the landscape, this is very impressive in its own right. Bridges have lots of different categories for biggest/best type superlatives. This is a legitimate claimant to one of them.

alonzo-ny · January 6th, 2012, 10:51 PM

It is a stunner in that landscape. I can't even begin to think how difficult it was to build it there. Fantastic.

Irish Blood English Heart · January 8th, 2012, 02:10 AM

It's almost enough to make me want to visit Mexico!

CharlieP · January 9th, 2012, 08:23 PM

I would love to BASE jump off that!

Gherkin · January 10th, 2012, 12:01 AM

Imagine driving the route and not knowing about the bridge until you were on it... Would be awesome.

ozl · February 3rd, 2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gherkin

Imagine driving the route and not knowing about the bridge until you were on it... Would be awesome.

Actually its true, lots of people will travel thru there and since most of us only see pictures of the bridge, they wont know there are tunnels and another small bridge before this one...

Good day people!

JiMex2010 · February 4th, 2012, 12:31 AM

I like the base jump idea and el puente looks DE TODA MADRE!

1+2=3 · March 21st, 2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gherkin

Imagine driving the route and not knowing about the bridge until you were on it... Would be awesome.

Hmm. Actually I wonder if you would really notice the scale of it: you wouldn't be able to look down as all you would see would be a road and some pillars (which definately do not look as tall from beneath).

January 6th, 2012, 01:40 PM	#1
*wjfox* Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: L O N D O N Posts: 36,120 Likes (Received): 906	Mexico inaugurates world's highest cable-stayed bridge Mexico inaugurates world's highest cable-stayed bridge Mexican President Felipe Calderon has inaugurated the world's highest cable-stayed bridge. The 403m (1,321ft) tall Baluarte bridge spans a deep ravine in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in the north. It is part of a new highway crossing some of Mexico's most rugged terrain, from Mazatlan on the Pacific Coast to Durango in the interior. The cable-stayed bridge is so tall that the Eiffel Tower would easily fit under its central span. "This project will unite the people of northern Mexico as never before," President Calderon said at the inauguration ceremony. Officials from the Guinness World of Records were on hand to present him with an award recognising the engineering feat. Watch video - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16434200 __________________ FutureTimeline.net - a timeline of future history

January 6th, 2012, 01:41 PM	#2
*wjfox* Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: L O N D O N Posts: 36,120 Likes (Received): 906	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baluarte_Bridge image hosted on flickr __________________ FutureTimeline.net - a timeline of future history Last edited by wjfox; January 6th, 2012 at 01:49 PM.

January 6th, 2012, 02:03 PM	#3
alonzo-ny Thermobaric Thagomizer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19,803 Likes (Received): 1018	That so doesn't count. It is a seriously awesome bridge but the Millau viaduct wipes its arse with that. __________________ The Imperial Alonzo Photography Thread.

January 6th, 2012, 05:52 PM	#4
Langur Londinium langur Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London Posts: 8,221 Likes (Received): 90	I'd agree that the Millau Viaduct is a more impressive bridge structure, but, taken together with the landscape, this is very impressive in its own right. Bridges have lots of different categories for biggest/best type superlatives. This is a legitimate claimant to one of them. __________________ If deficit spending in a downturn was some kind of panacea, then Greece would be booming by now.

January 9th, 2012, 08:23 PM	#7
CharlieP Prepare to die. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wakefield, Little Satan Posts: 21,061 Likes (Received): 215	I would love to BASE jump off that! __________________ This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

January 6th, 2012, 10:51 PM	#5
alonzo-ny Thermobaric Thagomizer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19,803 Likes (Received): 1018	It is a stunner in that landscape. I can't even begin to think how difficult it was to build it there. Fantastic.

January 8th, 2012, 02:10 AM	#6
Irish Blood English Heart Letting off the happiness Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wherever I lay my hat Posts: 4,277 Likes (Received): 34	It's almost enough to make me want to visit Mexico!

January 10th, 2012, 12:01 AM	#8
Gherkin actual gherkin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,713 Likes (Received): 147	Imagine driving the route and not knowing about the bridge until you were on it... Would be awesome.

February 4th, 2012, 12:31 AM	#10
JiMex2010 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 12 Likes (Received): 0	I like the base jump idea and el puente looks DE TODA MADRE!

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