"Where in North America?" --- Section III

[CalOldBlue]

Deep in the heart of Alexandria, on the Potomac. Former factory now converted to gallery space.

And Admiral Davis Glasgow Farragut was refering to what we now call mines, in the battle of Mobile Bay. Per wikipedia, his actual quote was:

"Damn the torpedoes!" said Farragut, "Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!"

Which we now have shortened to "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!".

[CalOldBlue]

"Converted Interiors"

What did this used to be, where is it, and what is it now?

Big tourist attraction.


Photo: Don Casey

P.S. I have 'magic brush'ed out some tell-tale details.

[Mark Sedenquist]

The view will be spectacular from the much higher level.

Eris, thanks for sending along that view! I am going to go shoot some more images tomorrow. By the way, from the bridge deck it will be impossible to see over the rail unless one is traveling at the height of tractor-trailer rig. At one time, they had planned to construct the rail at a height that would allow viewing -- but those plans were nixed. To see more photographs of the work to date, including one shot by Forum member, Erik Mines, who was in helicopter just like the one you sent... check out this article I've been updating.

[UKCraig]

I presume there'll be a viewing platform of some sort so we can get some happy snaps?

Building the safety rail high is a good idea else everyone would be slowing for a look. I presume it'll be illegal to stop on the bridge to try and deter the basejumpers and other nutters which have plagued other bridge such as the Viaduc de Millau

[Mark Sedenquist]

I presume there'll be a viewing platform of some sort so we can get some happy snaps?

One of the early design plans included a parking area built on the side of the bridge providing an awesome staging platform for photos. As you can see from the photos, there is no such platform being built. However there is still a line item in the budget for an interpretative visitor parking lot -- I'm not really sure where this is going to be. As the project progresses I will update that article on Living-Las-Vegas.com And yes, stopping on the bridge is serious no-no and there's not much point, you can't see the gorge from the bridge.

By the way, I've always loved that shot you took of the Viaduc de Millau -- what a gorgeous structure!

Mark

[Eris]

Mark. What a shame there will be no view. Wonder if it is a financial or road safety issue.

Thought about a viewing platform Craig but suspect that would be too far away to get the stunning views. Suppose health and safety seems to win every time these days.

Business opportunity here – anyone want to buy a London bus to take folks along on the top deck for the view :- )

Look forward to seeing your new photographs when you update your website piece on the bridge.

[UKCraig]

That'll be a shame and, I fear, a mistake. We've all seen those people who MUST have the photo at all costs (eg approaching that bear or bison in Yellowstone) and who'll pull up on the bridge and hurriedly climb on top of their RV to get a snap over the barrier...

PS Eris, not sure you'd get much of a view from the top of a bendy bus!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Because of the close proximity of the Hoover Dam, there is a highly trained and highly-motivated police presence (several kinds of agencies) and I suspect there will be little opportunity for folks in RV's to screech to a halt and climb up and take photos. It could certainly happen, but the "official" response is likely to be swift and harsh....

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Business opportunity here – anyone want to buy a London bus to take folks along on the top deck for the view :- )

Double Decker buses are very popular here -- We call 'em "the Deuce"

(Photo by Linda Evans)
and I bet someone is seriously thinking about how to market the bridge to roadtrip photographers!

...the top deck

Um, just to clarify -- I didn't notice this earlier -- there's only one level of bridge deck -- there is no "Top Deck" the walls of the bridge rails will simply be taller than most passenger vehicle windows.

[UKCraig]

That's supposed to be the case at Millau too, but... where there's a will there's a way ;)