Bridges of Lyon, France: The Mulatiere Bridges across the Saone River

September (45.7313, 4.8157) Mulatiere Bridges

The A7 (Autoroute du Soleil) Bridges and a parallel three span cantilevered steel truss (railroad) bridge cross the Saone just west of La Confluence (shown on the Google earth photo in last week's blog). These are called the Mulatiere Bridges, after a nearby town that was eventually absorbed into Lyon.

According to the Structurae Website, the railway bridge is part of the Saint Etienne-Lyon Railroad Line which is 557 km (346 miles) long. The bridge has an attractive fan-like arrangement of diagonal truss members as the truss deepens at its supports. The A7 Bridges are a steel truss arch carrying the southbound lanes (the middle bridge) and a steel I-girder bridge carrying the northbound lanes (the bridge on the left).

Originally the highway and railway were on a single structure but a separate railway bridge was built by Maurice Koechlin in 1914 (there's also a parallel railroad tunnel that was built in the 1820's). The railway bridge was damaged during WWII and repaired in 1946. It's 190m (626 ft) long and carries two sets of tracks. It must have been recently sandblasted and repainted because when I looked at the photos of it in Google earth (by trois tiff) it was completely covered in rust!

The north approach to the A7 bridges are reinforced concrete box girder spans on two column bents. It's a nice enough looking bridge but nothing spectacular. However, the Directorate of Transport Infrastructure (DGITM) is part of the Ministry of Ecology, so perhaps there efforts are focused on protecting the environment.

In the photo below we are looking back at the Pont Raymond Barre (across the Rhone) from under the north approach to the A7 Highway Bridges that goes across the Saone. 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

El Dorado, California Bridges: Route 49 Bridge across Weber Creek

February 2013 (38.708 Degrees, -120.812 Degrees) Route 49 Bridge

The next bridge over Weber Creek is a one span reinforced concrete box girder structure that carries State Route 49. It's strange that a 110 year old railway viaduct, a 99 year old arch bridge, a 75 year old haunched girder highway bridge, a modern highway bridge, and this tiny structure were all built to cross the same creek within a few miles of each other.

The State Route 49 bridge over Weber Creek is 27.7 m (91 ft) long and it was built in 1967.

El Dorado, California Bridges: Route 49 Bridge across Weber Creek by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

Palm Beach County, Florida Bridges: Florida Turnpike UC over Glades Road

December 2012 (26.368 Degrees, -80.171 Degrees) Florida Turnpike UC

I only had an afternoon to photograph a few bridges in Florida. Hopefully, I'll have future opportunities to photograph the many historic, modern, and interesting Florida bridges.

A useful resource for my visit was "Historic Highway Bridges of Florida,"published by the Florida Department of Transportation. I wonder if there was a request from the Federal Highway Administration for each state to make a public record of their historic bridges? Caltrans published "Historic Highway Bridges of California" in the 1990s.

While I was in Florida, I noticed that many of the highway bridges had Mechanically-Stabilized Earth (MSE) abutments. This has been an area of intense study at Caltrans since we rely on the soil around our abutments to reduce the displacements of shorter bridges during earthquakes. Currently, we are requiring that large diameter piles support the ends of our bridges when MSE Walls support the bridge approaches.

I had mentioned earlier that the Intracoastal Waterway bridges were regularly repainted. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of highway bridges. I would recommend that concrete bridges shouldn't be painted, since it's an unnecessary expense, and they look bad when the paint starts to peel.

Palm Beach County, Florida Bridges: Florida Turnpike UC over Glades Road by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Eitai Bridge across the Sumida River

June 2011 (35.676 Degrees, 139.788 Degrees) Eitai Bridge

Continuing up the Sumida River we arrive at the Eitai Bridge.  Originally a timber structure that was built in 1696, the Eita Obashi was immortalized in woodblock prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) but it was destroyed during the 1923 Kanto earthquake. Kawasaki Construction replaced it with the current high-strength steel structure in 1926. It is a 606 ft long by 72 ft wide three span bridge with a steel tied arch for the center span.

Tokyo's Sky Tree Tower can be seen in the distance. This is one of Tokyo's most iconic structures, appearing in almost every photo along this portion of the Sumida River. Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー Tōkyō Sukai Tsurī) is 2,080 ft tall, making it the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest structure (after Buri Khalifi at 2,723 ft).

 This location used to be the mouth of the Sumida River before the many artificial islands effectively pushed Tokyo Bay farther downstream.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Eitai Bridge across the Sumida River by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Tsukuda Bridge across the Sumida River (2)

June 2011 (35.668 Degrees, 139.781 Degrees) Tsukuda Bridge

A look from under the deck of yesterday's Tsukuda Bridge. This bridge appears to be well constructed and well maintained. It's surprising that the girder sections were assembled with rivets in 1964. The steel ties on the Kachidoki Bridge used a single steel bearing but the wide girders on the Tsukuda Bridge use two steel bearings at each support.

Every highway bridge in Japan was retrofitted after the 1995 Kobe earthquake, but I didn't notice any modifications to the Kachidoki or the Tsukuda Bridge. Maybe they were found not to need a retrofit, although most of these brittle steel bearings have been replaced with neoprene pads. Also, Japanese bridge engineers are lucky they can drain rain water from their decks directly into the river. Environmental law in the United States requires that all the rain water on the deck must be carried to a wastewater treatment plant. 

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Tsukuda Bridge across the Sumida River (2) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Tsukuda Bridge across the Sumida River (1)

June 2011 (35.668 Degrees, 139.781 Degrees) Tsukuda Bridge

About a half mile upstream from the Kachidoki Bridge is the Tsukuda Bridge. It has a three span continuous double box girder superstructure on hammerhead pier walls. The bridge was completed in 1964 and (like the Kachidoki Bridge) connects Tsukiji on the left to the human-made Tsukishima Island on the right.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridge: Tsukuda Bridge across the Sumida River (1) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (7)

March 2012 (35.662 Degrees, 139.775 Degrees) Kachidoki Bridge

A view of the large sidewalk on the outside of the hangers on the Kachidoki Bridge. Also (shown below) is another freize of the bascule spans, but now they are in the fully open position.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (7) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (6)

June 2011 (35.662 Degrees, 139.775 Degrees) Kachidoki Bridge

I remembered that I had a photo of the underside of the Kachidoki Bridge from a boat ride I took last year. Anyway, I realized that the tie on through arch bridges is always well below the C.G. of the arch rib since traffic has to get under the portal frame. Also, the tie seems much thinner than the arch rib in yesterday's photo. The walkway is supported by cantilevered members that are on the other side of the tie from the floor beams.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (6) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (5)

March 2012 (35.662 Degrees, 139.775 Degrees) Kachidoki Bridge

The ends of arch bridges can be hard to understand. I would have supposed that the ends of the Kachidoki Bridge were securely fastened to big ties under the deck. They probably are, but this photo suggests that the C.G. of the arches don't line up with the C.G. of the ties. I could kick myself because I was standing on the riverbank yesterday but I didn't go under the bridge to see. I guess another trip to the bridge is in order. I'm not sure why this bridge has become an obsession to me but I might as well get it out of my system while I'm in Tokyo.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (5) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (4)

March 2012 (35.662 Degrees, 139.775 Degrees) Kachidoki Bridge

Can there be too many photos of the Kachidoki Bridge? I guess I'll find out if people stop reading my blog. Today, in the pouring rain, I walked from Tamachi District to Daimon District and then took the subway to Kachidoki Station. A sign directed me to view the bridge from the Kachidoki Tower, but I wasn't able to find it. Instead I walked along the sidewalk and took some photos of the arch spans.

One of the nice things about this bridge are the wrought iron images attached to the railings. In the one below, it looks like a tall ship is just passing under the bridge as it opens (or as it's closing?).

Tokyo, Japan's Bridges: Kachidoki Bridge across the Sumida River (4) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

India's Bridges: Bridge with Horses in Morbi

After crossing the Gulf of Kutch we arrived in the ancient city of Morbi. Bridges sometimes have sculptures commemorating an ancient victory. This bridge has two beautiful stallions instead, running free without riders.

I don't know that much about Indian history, but I imagine a great Maharaja made this city the capital of his kingdom. Many of the bridges and buildings remain dramatic and beautiful. Today, it looks like another culture inhabits the ruins of an alien civilization. However we shouldn't mourn. The few museums I visited (the converted palaces of the raja) suggested that the population were his slaves. Still, Morbi is very beautiful.

We'll look at another of Morbi's dramatic bridges tomorrow.

India's Bridges: Bridge with Horses in Morbi by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Japan's Bridges: Fukumuro Overcrossings in Sendai

June 2011 (38.275 degrees, 140.973 degrees) Fukumuro Overcrossings

I photographed these bridges on the way to a meeting at the Port of Sendai. They include a highway bridge over Japan Railway tracks and Route 45 and a pedestrian bridge that just crosses over the railroad. The POC is steel while the road bridge is concrete and they're both supported by concrete hammerhead bents. Both bridges are long because the ends are at grade while the main spans are 25 feet above the railway.

Japan's Bridges: Fukumuro Overcrossings in Sendai by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Australia's Bridges: James Ruse Drive Bridge across the Parramatta River in NSW

March 2011 (-33.814 deg., 151.023 deg.) James Ruse Drive Bridge

About a thousand feet upstream from the two Camellia Bridges is the James Ruse Drive Bridge, which was completed in 1966. It's a four span precast girder bridge on four column bents. 

James Ruse Drive is a six lane road with a lot of truck traffic across the Parramatta River. The river is becoming quite narrow and the piers are protected with timber fenders.

Australia's Bridges: John Ruse Drive Bridge across the Parramatta River in NSW by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Australia's Bridges: Silverwater Bridge across the Parramatta River in NSW

March 2011 (-33.824 deg., 151.051 deg.) Silverwater Bridge

The ferry went another two miles upstream before reaching the next Parramatta River Crossing.


The Silverwater Bridge has a six span superstructure with four continuous, haunched concrete box girders on double pier wall bents. The bridge was completed in 1962 and carries Route 6 between the towns of Silverwater and Ermington over the Parramatta River.


I couldn't find much else about this bridge (who built it, how it was built, etc.). If anyone has more information about this handsome river crossing, please let us know.

Australia's Bridges: Silverwater Bridge over the Parramatta River in NSW by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Australia's Bridges: Iron Cove Bridge in New South Wales (2)

March 2011 (-33.859 deg., 151.162 deg.) Iron Cove Bridge (2)

A look from the deck of the Iron Cove Bridge. I like the red lane, which is designated for buses and emergency vehicles. The portal frame is less ornate than the bridge columns. There's still lots of traffic, even with the addition of a second bridge.

Australia's Bridges: Iron Cove Bridge in New South Wales (2) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Australia's Bridges: Iron Cove Bridge in New South Wales (1)

March 2011 (-33.859 deg., 151.162 deg.) Iron Cove Bridge (1)

The Iron Cove Bridge is on Route 40 between the ANZAC Bridge (to the south) and the Gladesville Bridge (to the north). Planning for the bridge began soon after WWII but the bridge wasn't completed until 1955. It's a series of short through truss spans on ornate, two column bents. 


A few years ago (despite opposition from local residents) the government built a parallel structure (to increase traffic capacity) that didn't match the architecture of it's neighbor. Perhaps that's why only the older structure is shown on most websites.

Australia's Bridges: Iron Cove Bridge in North South Wales (1) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Australia's Bridges: Tarban Creek Bridge in New South Wales (2)

March 2011 (-33.839 deg., 151.146 deg.) Tarban Creek Bridge

Between the Gladesville Bridge and the Tarban Creek Bridge is this connector ramp with attractively shaped pier walls. I also like the long overhangs on the superstructure. I think even the she-bolt holes in the piers add to this connector's appearance.

Australia's Bridges: Tarban Creek Bridge in New South Wales (2) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

Australia's Bridges: Tarban Creek Bridge in New South Wales (1)

March 2011 (-33.837 deg., 151.145 deg.) Tarban Creek Bridge

The Tarban Creek Bridge is a reinforced concrete multi-span bridge with what I would call a deck-stiffened arch over the creek.  It was built about the same time as the Gladesville Bridge (to the south) and the Fig Tree Bridge (to the north) for an expressway project that never came to fruition.


I think it's a little disingenuous that they advertise a 'Seven Bridges Walk' when tall fences surround one of the bridges (I took this photo through one of the fence links).

Australia's Bridges: Tarban Creek Bridge in New South Wales (1) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Australia's Bridges: Gladesville Bridge in New South Wales (1)

March 2011 (-33.840 deg., 151.147 deg.) Gladesville Bridge over the Parramatta River

Dear Reader. I'm sorry I was unable to provide a bridge photo for the last few of days, but I was unable to find an internet connection. I am now at a Starbucks in Brisbane and able once again to write my blog.

While I was in Sydney, I went on the 'Seven Bridges Walk.'  After crossing the ANZAC Cable-Stayed Bridge, I passed a couple of ordinary looking bridges until I came to the Parramatta River and the beautiful Gladesville Bridge. 

The Gladesville Bridge is 1000 ft long and 135 ft high at the top of the arch. We'll take another look at this handsome concrete deck arch tomorrow.

Australia's Bridges: Gladesville Bridge in New South Wales (1) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Arizona's Bridges: Glen Canyon Dam Bridge (2)

Arizona's Bridges: Glen Canyon Dam Bridge (2) by Mark Yashinsky is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.