Can you believe that these exist?
I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with these, but I’ve seen a few this year. Prior to that, I was completely unaware of the concept, much less the reality of one-lane bridges.
Travelling through the Ozark Mountains in Southern Missouri with @bluerthangreen earlier this year, we came upon the first one-lane bridge that I had ever seen. Out of nowhere there was some sort of “yield to oncoming traffic” sign and then the road went from two lanes down to one across the bridge.
I can’t say for sure whether or not @bluerthangreen had seen one of these before, but my mind was somewhat blown. In this day and age, it seemed like a very dangerous situation for the “modern drivers” to be in.
More and more often it seems that people are paying less and less attention when they are behind the wheel, so I was a little surprised to see such a thing.
I have seen about four or five of these one-lane bridges so far. All of them were either in southern Missouri or northern Arkansas, in the Ozark Mountains. Is anyone aware or them being anywhere else in the United States or in the world?
You’ve got to admit, they do seem a little strange and perhaps even dangerous. Thankfully, each time that we have encountered them, there were either no other drivers around or people were paying attention.
That does look like a pretty quick bottleneck, but it seems that the roads where we have seen these are not quite as frequently travelled as some others, otherwise that could be a disaster.
Have any of you ever seen these before? If so, how did you respond the first time that you encountered one? Is this a completely new idea for some of you out there?
I think that they are interesting, and was not aware of them until earlier this year, so I hope that you enjoy me sharing about them!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-one-lane-bridge
Until next time…
Don’t waste your time online, invest it with steemit.com
From reading the comments it looks like they are all over the place. I know of several all over Indiana, especially southern Indiana where I live now. There is actually a covered bridge festival every year in the area where there are dozens of covered bridges in a very small area, most of which are only one lane. There are also a lot of rural gravel roads that are only wide enough for one vehicle but are for traffic in both directions. when you come across someone coming from the opposite direction you just kind pull half way off the road and drive by each other. Most of the time there isn't much traffic anyway. Thanks for sharing
This is what happens when you're driving towards a one lane bridge:
So true!
There's quite a few of these in the rural parts of the UK. We're more used to narrow roads and queueing, so I guess it never struck me as strange 😊
I have never seen a one lane bridge lol?!?! This had to be built prior to the 1920's without code enforcement or something. We could never build like that now because of people texting and driving:/
When that bridge was built they didn't have texting and driving....They had more like this lol...
^^UPVOTED^^
not very rear here in Nigerian...but its mostly at suburbans....@papa-pepper,always on adventure..
We have them often out here in Idaho. Mostly up in the mountains But I know several out in the dessert that go over dry washes. the vehicle that gets to the bridge second must wait until the first vehicle gets off the bridge.
Interesting. I was in Idaho years ago but never encountered any. Thanks!
If you ever make it back I'll buy the coffee.
Same in Missouri.
lol the pic was taken in Southern Missouri in the Ozarks.
I know, I read the post. I've actually been across that exact bridge a few times in my life.
I was just stating that they're common all over Missouri, and pointing out that I live farther north in the state, meaning my experience wasn't solely based on southern Missouri, the area where this photo was taken.
I made a post out of my comment
https://steemit.com/deutsch/@lennstar/why-is-there-a-bridge-on-a-meadow-warum-steht-da-eine-bruecke-auf-der-wiese-en-de
What is so strange about them? It is the logical way to use at an small or less-traveled road in the mountains.
Most old (read: stone from the middle ages) bridges are too small or not stable enough to allow more then one lane traffic, too.
Here I have something for you, I think that tops even the covered bridges ;)
Wikipedia
This is what we now call a "flood bridge". As you can see it is one of the old stone ones, arching above a meadow.
WTF?? right?
In earlier times the river was there, but now no longer. Still if there is a flood, part of the river goes to the old bed and then this bridge (which con only be used one way because of size) is the only way to go.
The street on the other side of the bridge cannot be used then because of the water.
I'm from Canada...we have those two. Rare!...but definitely out there.
We also have one-lane highways...so all there is between you and the oncoming traffic is a painted, dotted line. Scary!...leads to lots of deaths every year!
Oh no, lots of deaths every year? That sounds horrible!
It's about the dumbest setup you could possibly think of. Ironically, there is a very popular lake where I am from that has one main road leading to it....the whole thing is a one way highway. So add some teenagers and the weekend to the mix...and you've got a real dicey drive for an hour! Ha.
There are a few around still. Gotta stay alert when behind the wheel. Nice post.
We've got a few in Oregon. Ya gotta read the signage. In this case Yield really means Yield. Whats worse is the covered bridges.
You have to hope people are as smart as you when trying to cross.
http://www.covered-bridges.org/bridges.htm
These are quite common in Switzerland. I've never had any trouble with them. In fact, I never had to yield to anyone because they are always in very low traffic areas and I was always the only one on the road.
Driving anywhere in England is like driving over one-lane bridges. Half of the roads have two lanes but because of people parked up on the sides, they act as one-lane roads.
I've seen photographs of things like that. Tight fit!
I wouldn't consider them dangerous, there is a very clear view of oncoming traffic.
We have a few one lane bridges where I am in England, you have no chance seeing anything coming the other way so on approach you are supposed to use the horn to alert another driver you are there.
Of course that then leads to a terribly British stand off as knowing there is another car, you stop, but they stop too and you still can't see each other but you are both too polite to make the move and drive.
Actually whoever honks first has the right of way, it basically says I'm here and I'm coming through.
Just a minnow swimming in the undertow
We recently drove to Dripping Springs, Texas to check out a nature reserve. We had never been in that area before and it was a very winding road. As we made our way down a steep hill the road narrowed to only one lane out of nowhere and there was water on both sides of the "road that was now pretending to be a bridge" lol
There are actually a lot of streets in my hometown of long beach (over populated) that are two way, but are hardly large enough for one car. The roads were made so long ago and as cars get bigger, the streets become less useable. If you are driving towards another car one of you have to bow out and ultimately back up all the way to the start of the street or if you are lucky find some type of parallel parking. Pretty ridiculous lol
That sounds ridiculous!
nice post my dear
Hey @papa-pepper the interview about you is ready. I think that it's an awesome one. Since the Steemit Chat was down I was not able to reach out to you. Where can I send it to you so you can give me your feedback?
Allegan Michigan has one as well.
It takes manners to cross it.
Manners indeed!
Funny that you find it strange, I lived in New Zealand for a few years and many, maybe most bridges are one way lane. I always wondered why, since in Uruguay where I´m from there aren´t any of these. I reckon it´s to do the least damage to nature.
Interesting post @papa-pepper!
Cool. I figured there were more out there, but this was the first time I'd ever seen them.
Nice little post, One of the reasons why I love steemit :) Now following you bud.
There are some one lane bridges close to where my parents live in Indiana. Even some old time covered bridges that are 1 lane!
Interesting. I had not encountered any in Indiana.
ohhh god
God bless americaaaa.... hehe there's a couple near me. I don't think they fully thought through what they were doing when they built them. 🤔
That's what I was thinking, but I'm sure it costs less.
what an interesting thing..i like these posts ha
I was just going to say I lived in Missouri most of my life and that's where I saw them, but that's where you were too! Isn't it crazy! We used to have to make some sort of hand guesture to let the opposing car know whether we were going or they were. The Ozark Mountain area is so beautiful, I don't think people really know until they see it. Loved your post, fellow midwesterner :)
It really is beautiful down here! Thank you!
Yes, I am familiar with one-lane Bridges. I live in Pennsylvania and we have a number of historic covered bridges. I agree that people are not paying attention to the roads and they really should because of this kind of thing.
Yes, people need to pay attention. I can imagine that some covered ones in Pennsylvania would look pretty.
When I was a young teenage girl we lived by a covered bridge and wood bike there park and walk through the bridge and swim underneath in the creek. Those were some good memories!
Its Amazing
Very informative
We've got one of these right down the road from me in Hawthorn Woods, IL...it's strange, and worst of all, unlike the ones you have come across, this one is on a route that get's real busy during the weekend (lots of festivals in the area). The road is always backed up about 10 minutes just to get through. I heard something about the neighborhoods around not wanting to get rid of it because it has character or something...
That would not be any fun to find one in a busy area. I'd never seen one in Illinois.
I'll have to try and remember to get a picture of it the next time I am going that way. It's a really small area around there despite being the in the Chicago burbs.
Waaw nice @papa-pepper i like
Yes, most hump-back bridges in the UK are single-lane - this is the standard sign to warn you that one's coming up - so if you ever come over here and see this sign, be ready to slow down and look out for oncoming traffic!
I'll watch for the signs! Thanks for the heads up!
I don't know why but this made me think about the Huey P. Long bridge in New Orleans. In my time living there it was absolutely terrifying to drive on as the two lanes were slightly larger than one regular street lane. If you had a passenger in your car they'd be close enough to shake hands with the driver in the car next to them. They've since widened the lanes due to tons of accidents but here is a clip of a time prior to.
When I lived in NOLA I did not drive, but that would have been terrible.
I think I'd only taken it 3 or4 times times over a two year period and each time was just as scary.
We have quite a few one lane bridges and covered bridges in Pennsylvania (heart of the Amish Country). Growing up around them, it's easy to forget they are not everywhere.
Yeah, covered bridges in Amish country go together, I guess I never thought about how many lanes.
theres one.
Yakton SD over the missouri..double decker..one way on top...one way on the bottom
it was still there not many years ago...I went over it in a truck.
fun..fun..
Yes it does not surprise me that there are one lane bridges. They were probably put in before when moved faster and took more time. I know here in Iowa we have a number of them. Even covered bridges. I am sure you have heard of the Bridges of Madison County. That is Iowa. It was a simpler time then. We were not in a hurry. Miss those days. great post. Upvoted.
I'll have to get off the beaten path a little more next time I'm in Iowa.
There are at least two one lane bridges where I live...
Hey Papa, Not only are there one lane bridges but I go through a one lane tunnel when I go to the grocery store. They are out there!
Wow that sounds crazy!
yeah, I will try to remember to send you some pics when I go through again.
Definitely made a few stupid moves on those before... in missouri we have a couple of them left in the rural areas and in their defense they do give you notice they are coming up soon.
@papa-pepper so what captain just like every person every country has little bit flaws
Who would believe dt johny depp is secretly revealing the dark secrets of usa in streemit 😀🖖
Haha wat a coincidence
#upvote
Man, I'm getting that Johnny Depp comment a lot lately!
@papa-pepper aye captain give me an upvote
We got a few of these around where I live in NJ. I usually throw on my brights when going over so anyone approaching can see.
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Great post!! Keep it up :)
By the way, I'm following you now
Cheers
We had one for years till about three years ago, I'm from Trinidad. I suspect you'll find more of those in the 'third world'.
You may be correct. One of my best friends was from Trinidad.
Small world :)
Amazing and informative.
Must read this.
https://steemit.com/worlds7thlargestmosque/@hamzarajput/world-top-7th-largest-grand-jamia-mosque-bahria-town-lahore
i cant for the life of me remember where but somewhere in bc ive crossed a one lane wooden bridge lol
I came a cross a few when I lived in Ohio, was always scary. Liked the post keep up the good work!
We have plenty of these here in Portugal. But we are a very old country to be honest and many are just reused old bridges.
If you are ever going to visit New Zealand beware, we have one lane bridges EVERYWHERE !!!