Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
35 Examples Of Brilliant Infrastructure That Show Why Engineers Who Think Outside The Box Must Be Celebrated, As Shared In This Group (New Pics)
It’s human nature not to see things that sit right behind our noses. From little details to the complex structures we’re surrounded by every single day.
One such example is the city infrastructure you live in. Our environment is made up of the seemingly never-ending and complex net of physical and organizational structures and facilities, from buildings and roads to power supplies and waste management that make our lives easier, better, and more efficient.
Luckily, there’s this awesome community on Reddit that by sharing high-quality images of incredible infrastructure from all around the world, gives this often overlooked aspect of society the appreciation it deserves. We wrapped up some of the most interesting examples shared on the subreddit for you to enjoy, so I leave the stage to them!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
India Has Constructed A 16 Km Long Elevated Highway As To Allow Wild Animals To Pass Underneath It
Aru Datu 3 years ago
But it's not a nice place to have your car broken or run out of fuel.. 😅
Load More Replies...
Roborowski 3 years ago
They build a 16km bridge and the tigers still have to walk? Isn't that a bit unfair? 🤔
XenoMurph 3 years ago
Tigers are allowed to drive, but none have filled in the application form, yet.
Load More Replies...
Christina B 3 years ago (edited)
Love the thought that went into this...some may not see it as ideal but it is certainly better than the alternative of completely decimating their habitat
Stacey Vanhyning 3 years ago
These kind of roads need to be everywhere. The animals were here first we are building on their land. The least we could do is give them safe passage on their own property.
Nitka Tsar 3 years ago
Yes, I thought that too. At least after reading that in Canada predators use the bridges to get their food "delivered" to them
Load More Replies...
Dan Ascheman 3 years ago
I assume that area gets a lot of water by the support columns. The secondary benefit going to the wildlife
Thomas Ewing 3 years ago
The hazard to traffic just allowing the critters to cross is a great reason to build like this instead of the carnage otherwise. A large animal struck on a busy roadway is a mess that the builders don't want to be sued over. Best for all.
RELATED:
#2
Netherlands Land Bridge
Trevor Miller 3 years ago
In Canader we have them asswell. What they didn’t anticipate were predators to sit and wait for their food to be delivered to them through this funnel.
Load More Replies...
Robert Trebor 3 years ago
But there will always be teenaged deer daring one another to cross the road.
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
There are a ton of these in the Canadian Rockies! They're placed where there tends to be a lot of animal crossings on the highways to provide a safe way for them to cross.
Memere 3 years ago
We saw them on a trip thru the U.S. Rockies, in Colorado. Very cool!
Load More Replies...
Wouter 3 years ago
Unfortunately you only get to see them from the highway, from which they're just boring overpasses :-)
Load More Replies... 
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
I remember learning about this in ecology class. It's so cool. It doesn't upset migration patterns or feeding patters or anything.
#3
Crab Overpass On Christmas Island, Preventing Migrating Crabs From Getting Ran Over
Jonathan Chisholm 3 years ago (edited)
I learned two things from this, apparently crabs migrate, and can climb walls...never seen anything like this before. Another thing: how do they know which way to go?
Cactuar Jon 3 years ago
do they have a one way system going on there?? They all look very organised O_O
Shalonda Brantley 3 years ago
Awwww that was sweet of someone to be considerate of the cute Lil crabs👍🏾☺️
A recent report suggests that by 2050, more than 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities, a growth of 2.5 billion from today. And to meet the needs of their citizens, cities are investing heavily in infrastructure and building space and constantly looking for optimal solutions to cater to this whopping population.
According to Robert Puentes, the president and CEO of the Eno Center for Transportation, which is a non-profit think tank with the mission of improving transportation policy and leadership, well-developed infrastructure is much more than what meets the eye. He argues that rotten roads equal bum economy.
#4
Sart Canal Bridge - La Louvière, Belgium
phil blanque 3 years ago
This is quite amazing, considering the immense weight of the water, which is always there, and the need to assure it does not leak significantly. Very bold and beautiful.
Izzy 3 years ago
god that's incredible. i can't help but think how thunderstruck our ancestors would be to see the extent to which civilisation and architecture/engineering has progressed. we're building bridges of land and creating canals in the sky. amazing
Demongrrrrl 3 years ago
The Romans had aqueducts, so they wouldn't be all that surprised.
Load More Replies...
Robert Trebor 3 years ago
Look also at the Monocacy Aqueduct — or C&O Canal Aqueduct No. 2, crossing the Monocacy River, carrying the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, built between 1829 and 1833.
Huzzir Zakaria 3 years ago
impressive as how the bridge is able to hold the weighr of those volume of water with what seems to be minimal supporr!
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
I wonder if cities lacking space ever considered making huge swimming areas like this in highly populated cities. Be nice for people that can't get out for some summer fun
#5
Hands Bridge, Vietnam
Billy Bob the 4th 3 years ago
Went there a few years ago, at Bana Hills. It also has the 3rd (I think) longest suspended car ride. That said, the hands aren't stone and the moss/stone texture is painted on. Still really nice though.
Sleeping Solipsist 3 years ago
Why is Rushmore so famous when I can get to 37 without knowing this exists?
Elizabeth Truss 3 years ago
Exactly my thoughts! I'm 39. Like how do I not know there is actual Lord of the Rings infrastructures in our world?!
Load More Replies...
Huzzir Zakaria 3 years ago
"Unicorn's" (heads & horns protruded somewhere in arabian coast) from the last TRANSFORMERS movie... 🤔
#6
Does Beaver Infrastructure Count? This Was At Least 10 Feet Tall, And Extremely Well Built
John Whick 3 years ago
Yes, beaver are short hairy people who have big teeth and eat plants, we accept that in society already
iblewsheep 3 years ago
equating a person and a beaver is a big insult to the beaver
Load More Replies...
phil blanque 3 years ago
Yes, not only are they skillful builders, but they also recognize the need for maintenance...something many human beings ignore.
François Carré 3 years ago
Beavers are the best engineers and they build with 100% local and recyclable stuff. Take that humans !
“Concrete, steel, and fiber-optic cable are the essential building blocks of the economy. Infrastructure enables trade, powers businesses, connects workers to their jobs, creates opportunities for struggling communities and protects the nation from an increasingly unpredictable natural environment,” Puentes argues.
According to Puentes, infrastructure is the backbone of any healthy economy and it includes anything from private investment in telecommunication systems, broadband networks, freight railroads, energy projects and pipelines, to public spending on transportation, water, buildings and parks.
#7
Brusio Spiral Viaduct, Switzerland
DTComposer 3 years ago
The grade of the incline would be too steep for the engines. The loop allows for a more gradual incline. As mentioned before, there is a similar loop in Tehachapi, CA (and I'm sure other places), and there are many examples of "horseshoe" curves that accomplish the same thing.
Load More Replies...
Hodari Abramson 3 years ago
Had a bunch when I was a kid in the late 80's early 90's
Load More Replies...
#8
Floating Solar Power Plant In Ramagundam, India
M O'Connell 3 years ago
100MW capacity, and serves to reduce evaporative losses from the reservoir it is floating in.
Jesus Ortiz 3 years ago
Ok, then what's your solution? This beats burning coal, or any other fossil fuels at a level that you probably are (so am I, I'm not gonna absolve myself of responsibility).
Jesus Ortiz 3 years ago
I meant this as a response to an ingonrant comment left by an ignoramus who claimed that this marvelous idea is somehow a blight on the land.
Load More Replies... Demongrrrrl 3 years ago
I wonder if solar power collection panels could be placed in the parts of the Midwest that have been most heavily affected by drought. Power companies could rent the land from the farmers plus give them free energy.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
We have some in areas like that in Australia. Here is an article I found if you are interested. It says the US is looking into it too. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-12-30/solar-panel-contamination-regional-australia/100559830
Load More Replies... 
Darren Craig 3 years ago
Also solar panels like the light not the heat so this helps solve that.
Farid Red 3 years ago
Solar power on water vs on land. Which is more effective and cost efficient?
Ritam Sanyal 3 years ago
Water cause there is more plain surface,water from reservoir wouldn't evaporate, aquatic life likes shade to thrive and multiply.
Load More Replies... No One 3 years ago
Brilliant, but could long term effects on fish, water temperature, etc cause problems? Not knocking the idea, just wondering if somebody wondered before project was built.
Ritam Sanyal 3 years ago
Its on a reservoir,so no worries at all and even if it was on aquatic water, it would benefit ultimately because high heat capacity of water won't even allow it to increase temperature and aquatic life likes shade to thrive and multiply.
Load More Replies... 
Bob Larimer 3 years ago
I wonder if the heat of the panels impacts the water temperature under / around the panels or has other adverse impacts to the immediate ecosystem it is installed in?
Hayden No 3 years ago
In this case, the solar panels pull that heat and turn it into energy and should continue to effectively do that for 30 years or so per panel. Wildlife has not been added to this reservoir and the panels actually help reduce some of the heat by being raised on floating platforms. It's also mentioned that the panels help catch evaporated water, thereby reducing water loss during the heat of the day. It's a great idea, and hopefully it will continue to be improved upon.
Load More Replies...
#9
Friedrich Bayer Bridge, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Emily 3 years ago
This looks like a level of Mario Cart, the bridges randomly open and close during the race
SoozeeQ 3 years ago
@Epic, the bridge opens up to let boats through. (It's not large enough for massive ships, but presumably small boats could still get through).
Load More Replies... Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
Brazil has one of the worst poverty, starvation, homeless and crime rates globally...but least they have this 😕
Babi Lacerda 3 years ago
São Paulo is the sixth most populous city on the planet, and the most populous in the southern hemisphere, with over 11 million inhabitants according to the 2010 census. It is considered Brazil's financial capital, as it is the wealthiest in the nation with the tenth highest GDP in the world. Despite its endemic poverty, Brazil is also a country where the rich are extremely rich.
Load More Replies...
Incredibly, Brookings Institution analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data revealed that 14 million people have jobs in fields directly related to infrastructure. Think of locomotive engineers, airline pilots, truck drivers: these professions make for nearly 11 percent of the nation’s workforce.
#10
Chengyang Yongji Bridge In Liuzhou City, China
Milva 3 years ago
I wonder whether Asian people consider European buildings cute as we think of theirs
Sel 3 years ago
Only cottages. Castles are cool but the rest pretty meh tbh
Load More Replies... #11
The World's Oldest Underground Station 157 Years Apart
Will Sowers 3 years ago
One of these was painted over a period of hours, the other probably snapped in half a second with a device everyone has handy. Makes you wonder how it'll be captured in another century and a half.
Glynna Bowood 3 years ago (edited)
As a memory, most likely- everything is getting replaced these days...
Load More Replies...
Randolph Croft 3 years ago
Those old trains were not electric - smoke and steam were the stink of the day.
Memere 3 years ago
And soot everywhere from the coal they burned to make the steam!
Load More Replies... 
MSP 3 years ago
I love that even the light fixtures are the same! You'd never find that here in the good ole United States... they'd have replaced them somewhere along the line for more "modern" ones, and then MAYBE gone back and installed replicas of the original... unless this is what's happened here... what do I know?!
Memere 3 years ago
The modern ones are different from the originals (double check the banding around the light globes), but at least they kept the same design.
Load More Replies...
Luann Daniel 3 years ago
Imagine getting hired to power wash this, I guess the pay might keep a person coming back everyday.
Lene 3 years ago
I am stupid, I know..... but shouldn't there be at least 2 oldest underground stations? Or did they just build this one, place a train in it? Perhaps with a "to be continued...."-sign.
Juliet Fox 3 years ago (edited)
Youd think! You had me stumped for a second with that one . The train is not underground the whole time . It comes up to the surface before the next stop . This is simply the oldest underground one . But I love the "to be continued " imagery . I saw the "sidewalk ends" sign instantly !
Load More Replies...
#12
A Curve At B31, 79874 Breitnau, Germany
Teampandas GF 3 years ago
You can't as almost always the road is overloaded with trucks and motorcycles...
Load More Replies...
Maggie Mags 3 years ago
Well.. Thank you for clarifying, Paul C.. Now that you've helped, I guess it makes a bit more sense.. I had to nag and complain about contemporary life doings, though.. It is an incessant life habit😂😂
Mika N 3 years ago
I don't know your original comment but I believe I was wondering the same thing so thank you for bringing it up so someone who knows could answer! Just seeing the pic by itself seems kind of like a pretty but pointless waste of road lol 😂 Zig zagging up the mountain makes sense though!
Load More Replies... 
Holger Blaschka 3 years ago
Drove that one dozends of time, it‘s near Freiburg / Germany. And it‘s always fun to drive it, trying to beat your own (imaginary) ghost ;-) And Yeah, this makes sense, as the street goes uphill.
Alonso Victoria 3 years ago
We have one like this in México, we call it "la pera" (the pear) and is pretty dangerous, many people can't take it and crashes are common.
Memere 3 years ago
Maybe the drivers need to just slow down! Speed is a huge factor in most vehicular crashes.
Load More Replies... 
Paul C. 3 years ago (edited)
Maggie Mags. It's to zig zag up the side of a mountain, instead of those hairpin bends you often see. if you look down in the other submissions there is the Panlong Road, which this type of road replaces .
Load More Replies...
Teampandas GF 3 years ago
I hate that turn. Had to use it to get to my grandpa. Always a motorcycle trying to speed up (upwards trucks are allowed 20km/h). It's hell of dangerous. The valley is called "Höllental", meaning valley of hell.
Teampandas GF 3 years ago
The parkings/sites beside the road have names in the local dialect. "Verschnuufeckli" = Corner to take a breath and "Teufelsschwänzli" = Devils tail come to my mind
Load More Replies...
SoozeeQ 3 years ago
I'm wondering if it's a roadside memorial, and if there have been a lot of crashes along this road?
Load More Replies...
Puentes explains that the US has seen tremendous growth in population with 25 million people added in the past 10 years, which is concentrated in the 50 largest metropolitan areas. “It will place new demands on already overtaxed infrastructure. Metropolitan areas must be ready to adapt not only to serve millions of new customers but also to help poorer residents, many of whom are jobless, have the best chance possible to find work,” he states.
#13
Sea Cliff Bridge, New South Wales, Australia
Sue Maynes 3 years ago
A lot of comments refer to the rock falls that made the old road a danger, but my extended family lived around this area for several generations and the long-term danger was the sea eroding the face of the cliffs. In some areas, land once extended up to 200 yards on the sea side of the road, houses sat between it and the sea cliffs. Those houses have disappeared in some parts. The danger in this specific area came from both the sea and the rock falls.
Jo Berry 3 years ago
Yep. It was the main road to head to the south coast beaches of NSW. Every year rock slides would close the road for days. Usually around school holidays when people are travelling the most. There is a highway now that is faster but this road is a beautiful tourist drive that starts on the edge of Sydney and goes through a national park and then skirts the coast pretty much the whole way to Melbourne
Load More Replies...
Eunice Bentley 3 years ago
I am wondering about the letters on the road support pillars I see an R, an M, and an E
Mary Peace 3 years ago
I wonder if it was an advert, that now has some letters missing?
Load More Replies...
Downunderdude 3 years ago
I agree. This is a quite spectacular piece of civil engineering. The old road was constantly getting blocked by rockslides which meant a two hour detour. It's near Wollongong in NSW and worth a visit if you're in Oz.
Alban Bizet 3 years ago
There is a very impressive one in La Réunion now 1l-image-R...ighway.jpg 
#14
Dragon Bridge, Vietnam
Billy Bob the 4th 3 years ago
Yeah, it breathes fire and lights up at night. In Danang if I remember (I do, it was my honeymoon)
Remi (He/Him) 3 years ago
They switched it to breathe water during a recent heat wave so people could cool down
Jacob Frank 3 years ago
On weekend nights it shoots flames from the mouth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbnGpxr4UBo)
insert name here 3 years ago
This reminds me of farosh over hylia bridge in breath of the wild
#15
A Rare Mid-Construction Shot Of The Golden Bridge Being Built In California, 1935
SoozeeQ 3 years ago (edited)
That's so cool! He must have had so many interesting stories to tell you.
Load More Replies... 
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
Because the non-U.S. editor of this "listicle" didn't double-check the actual name of it.
Load More Replies... Eff the haters 3 years ago
The fact that they had to build smaller bridges to build this bridge...
Jan Velart 3 years ago
With almost one hundred years old machinery. My mind refuses to convert that
“Despite the importance of infrastructure, the US has not spent enough for decades to maintain and improve it. It accounts for about 2.5 percent of the economy, compared to about 3.9 percent spent in Canada, Australia and South Korea, 5 percent for Europe and 9-12 percent in China,” Puentes continues.
He adds that the US must spend at least $150 billion more a year on infrastructure through 2020 to meet its needs. This would add about 1.5 percent to annual economic growth and create at least 1.8 million jobs. The question is, will they do this?
#16
The Uninhabited Island Of Baljenac In The Adriatic Sea
Uninhabited except for a 14-mile network of low stone walls. Built by residents of a nearby island to separate crop fields and vineyards.
A B C the Third 3 years ago
Isn't that, like, 50% stone walls? Might wanna get friendly with your neighbours and pool up, or is there anything against that?
Vanja Vidovic 3 years ago
Stones were pulled out from the soil so it can be cultivated.
Load More Replies... 
Trinity Cottrell 3 years ago
They should turn it into a prison to utilize space on the mainland.
#17
High Speed Trains In Nanjing, China
Mrs S 3 years ago
Too right! And now I think I'll get my needlework project started!
Load More Replies...
Ron H. 3 years ago
They have hundreds, yet we can't get even 1 built between Vegas and California. Much less anywhere in this country 🤬
Jonathan Chisholm 3 years ago
That's got to be the most excessive amount of trains I've seen in one space LOL
#18
Road Connecting Different Islands In Åland Islands
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago (edited)
Is it possible to buy one of those and live all alone and only go out when you need supplies? Asking for a friend who is me.
Mizar Otavainen 3 years ago
I am sorry to shoot down your friend (yours) dream. It is very difficult to outsider(anybody else than ålander) to buy land from Åland. But rest of the Finland you are very welcome to buy island or two!
Load More Replies...
Anders Wasen 3 years ago
My birthplace and where I grew up... There's a lot more bridges and more beautiful in the archipelago stretching all the way over to Finland!
Johanna 3 years ago
Hej Anders! Johanna Muukkonen här! Var håller du hus?
Load More Replies... Wonderful 3 years ago
What does the circle over the a sound like? O how do you say the name phonetically?
Joakim Mårlöv 3 years ago
Å is like "o" in "fore", "bore", "sore" or "a" in "saw", "dawn", or perhaps the whole word "awe".... Awe-land!
Load More Replies... Johanna 3 years ago
Our summer cabin is on that island on the far left. You are all most welcome to visit, but the land is protected to prevent exploitation. You can still buy apartments or houses in planned neighbourhoods. Our archipelago consists of about 6.500 islands and not a lot of them are used as permanent residence all year round.
Camilla Koutsos 3 years ago
No, but there's enough information to find out if you're interested in doing so.
Load More Replies... Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
Ontario Canada has so many of these little islands but the majority don't have any roads near them. Most don't have cars. Just boats, seadoo's or skidoos. Or dog sleds for winter travel
April Pickett 3 years ago
I guess you could. They all look occupied to me, and, can you deal with 10' of snow?
Gautam Balachandran 3 years ago
A land island? Whoever thought of that name must have been paid billions!
Joakim Mårlöv 3 years ago
Å is a small running water, like a brook. Brook-land.
Load More Replies... #19
Panlong Road Aerial View
Kristin Ingersoll 3 years ago
Seriously thought that was a snake until my eyes adjusted to the perspective1
Bender Bending Rodríguez 3 years ago
It would have been called Panshort Road, If they went strait instead of zig zag.
Memere 3 years ago
I seriously doubt that you would want a road going straight down this mountain - it drops over 3600 feet, and a straight road would be very dangerous to drive. From the bottom, the average gradient is 5.2% and there is a total elevation gain of 3,694 ft, finishing at 13,989 ft.
Load More Replies...
#20
Curved Pedestrian Bridge Links Two Riverfront Parks In Providence, Rhode Island
C G 3 years ago (edited)
So this fails to mention that this is actually a repurpose of a bridge for an interstate that was rerouted. Overall the redevelopment here has been amazing. The glass looking building there is a collaborative community workspace where there was once an elevated freeway.
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
They should build a few of these for people to be able to escape on foot from Manhattan faster
#21
Arc De Triomphe, From Above
Adam Jeff 3 years ago
It might look pretty but it is NOT 'well-planned infrastructure'. It is traditionally one of the worst traffic jam spots in Paris.
Giles McArdell 3 years ago
Not many cars on the road in the early 1800s when this was built.
Load More Replies...
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
This is a perfect example of what WAS good, well-planned infrastructure, but is NO LONGER good. It would never be built today. This is why we need to keep reviewing our infrastructure and checking it is fit for purpose for the ways we live now.
Robert Trebor 3 years ago
It is said that there are little Fiats which are stuck going round and round. Can't get out.
ioni 3 years ago (edited)
Paris isn't designed for cars. Car didn't even existed when Haussmann redesigned Paris on 1853. Paris was designed for a few horse-drawn carriages
Load More Replies... Sabienn 3 years ago
Most roundabouts are not disorganized at all and easy to drive on. They can be a much better option than crossings with traffic lights, depending on the situation
Load More Replies... Christina B 3 years ago
The worst and dreaded 'round about'....we have these here, mind you much smaller versions and even they are terrible
Jessica Julian 3 years ago
You take your life in your hands when you cross those roads....trust me.
Liz Orr 3 years ago
Paris is a redesigned city where they wrecked most of the city to expand all the roads from oxen tracks with shack homes to wide boulevards,with sewers, and the 5 story offset levels buildings so light gets down to the street. It was an amazing feat of engineering, unparalleled in the world. Got rid of the winding streets full of sewage that never dried.
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
I know alot of people that have been here and everyone says it's a traffic/driving nightmare
#22
The Escalators At The Wheaton Metro Station In Maryland Are The Longest Single Span Escalators In The Western Hemisphere At 230 Feet. I'm Surprised No Action Movie Fight Scenes Have Been Filmed Here
Richard Graham 3 years ago
Sheldon Cooper rides these escalators angrily screaming "Wheeee-tonnn!"
Jack Holt 3 years ago
I saw a drunk guy nearly fall backwards halfway up once, absolutely terrifying
Load More Replies...
Gary Harkins 3 years ago
I'm deathly afraid of heights! I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to go up those.
Alan Williams 3 years ago
There are some very long escalators at Rustaveli Station in Tbilisi, Georgia. 120 m long. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rustaveli_(Tbilisi_Metro)We use the metric system so that is 394 feet. Georgia is in the other hemisphere of course.
Daria Sidorenko 3 years ago
And a few in Saint Petersburg and in Moscow in Russia are over 400ft long. I can imagine getting out of the metro takes longer than the commute itself 😄
Load More Replies...
Stacy Menendez 3 years ago
I live here! I'm getting chills just seeing this here! It is scary for people with a fear of heights (me). I see people jogging down the stairs at full speed and I can't believe that no one has fallen!
Melissa 3 years ago
I feel like the 59th and Lexington station in NYC is this long or longer. Possibly another NYC subway station too.
Melissa 3 years ago
Guess not. I looked it up. Longest NYC subway escalator is 34th street Hudson Yard and still not as long as the one in this post.
Load More Replies... #23
New Cycling Lane In Delhi, A Sign Of Things To Come For The Whole City
joe 3 years ago
I love the fact that this is genuinely separate from the rest of the traffic (and bordered by trees).
phil blanque 3 years ago
The path is lovely, and far better to bike here than share the road with the crazy motorized traffic (and cattle, pigs, and oxen) on regular city streets! But most impressive is that the canal looks clean!!
Glynna Bowood 3 years ago
OHHH, I thought the brick path was for peds and the wider nice flat path was for the bikes!
Load More Replies...
#24
Mountain And Sea Trail In Xiamen, China
Unknown 3 years ago
Light pollution is still pollution. But we humans do love our shiny things!
Glynna Bowood 3 years ago
I was thinking skates or electric scooters would be fun to try.
Load More Replies... Grace Noyes 3 years ago
It's giving me anxiety because what do you do if you need to get off all of a sudden?
#25
Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland
Frank Hassler 3 years ago
Is that the Firth of Fouth? Or did it take them just 4 tries to make such an excellent bridge?
Gustav Gallifrey 3 years ago
This bridge was built in a time when the land transport alternative to railways was horses and carts.
April Pickett 3 years ago
Those rectangular supports don't look like they'd support this bridge. Obviously, they do, but it doesn't look right to me.
Dave Platt 3 years ago
"The path is clear, but no eyes can see the course laid down long before."
Load More Replies... 
#26
Ashalim Solar Power Tower, Negev Desert, Israel
Doge 3 years ago
It's the Jewish space lasers Marjorie Taylor Green warned us about!!! This is how they charge it up to burn down forests and steal your heterosexuality and children! Better vote GOP!
The pizza girl is here! 3 years ago
Hey! I'm Israeli too! While this is a good picture, sadly, it barely supplies any power
April Pickett 3 years ago
It looks like one of those spaceships, with all the little lights showing where all the beings live, work, and play.
#27
Fukashiro Dam, Yamanashi, Japan
Kristin Ingersoll 3 years ago
It's "interesting infrastructure." I think it fits just fine!
Load More Replies...
Luann Daniel 3 years ago
It seems Japan likes to make things that are beautiful and good for the environment.
Unknown 3 years ago
This is completely opposite good for the environment, this is good for people, so that's definitely not a good reason...
Load More Replies...
Syringa Wessels 3 years ago
the dam is like every other dam, the land around it is really cool though, it doesn’t belong on this list though
#28
Warsaw Subway. Because It's Very Young System, New Stations Look Very Impressive. It's Also One Of The Cleanest Subway Systems In Europe
Gary Harkins 3 years ago
I really wish us Americans could keep our stuff clean like this! First day of use we would end up trashing it!
Akos Feher-Szoke 3 years ago (edited)
'Only two metro lines' - not quantity but quality and I use it every day. And it stiil remains clean, indeed... ;)
#29
Somewhere In Hong Kong
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
Very bad engineering. This is not well-planned, but instead bodged together, 'organic' growth.
Kelly Trinh 3 years ago
That's part of the charm of Hong Kong... 1900s was a canal and when engineering got good enough, was reclaimed and became roads... When growth made it worth it, then had new roads and elevated bridges connecting them to give the scene in the pic...
Load More Replies...
T Hausomapi 3 years ago
That is Causeway bay in Hong Kong. The bus is on the Canal Rd flyover to an expressway to the other side of the island. It is actually a 7 lane road.
#30
Intersection In Zagreb, Croatia
iblewsheep 3 years ago
Karen. Karen ALWAYS has the right of way...ALWAYS!!!!
Load More Replies...
Nikolina Đurđević 3 years ago
From above it looks scary but when you're there it's not scary at all. I drove there a lot and everything is clearly marked and yes, there are different traffic signals for turns and if you're going straight through it
Toothless Feline 3 years ago
Yeah, but Americans would still go the wrong way every time. (Disclaimer: am American.)
Load More Replies... Unknown 3 years ago
Honestly asking anyone who lives there or has been through it, are there traffic lights/signals?
Ivana M. 3 years ago
Yes. Intersection doesn't seem half as scary when you are driving through it.
Load More Replies...
frederick clause 3 years ago
Yes there's traffic lights. No, if you think about it it's not confusing at all.
#31
Thyssenkrupp Elevators Test Tower In Guangzhou, China
Pan.D.Mona 3 years ago
It's like in Rottweil/Germany an elevator testing site
Load More Replies...
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
My brother just retired from his job with Thyssenkrupp! He started at Schindler Elevator company, then went to work for Dover Elevator here in the U.S., then Dover was bought by Thyssenkrupp. He put in over 30 years in the elevator industry. Good company! I'll have to save this pic & show it to him next time I see him.
Lazy Panda (she/her/hers) 3 years ago
I bet a job like that has its ups and downs
Load More Replies...
Andrew Gibb 3 years ago
There is one of these near Northampton in the UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUH9QQudBxs
Gautam Balachandran 3 years ago
So what? Do they test elevators or different types of towers or the whole building is full of testers?
#32
Chicago's Wells Street Bridge
Potato Chimps 3 years ago
What's super cool about this river is that they reversed the flow to prevent the spread of disease. Not only is it beautiful, but amazing engineering as well.
Mary Longenbaker 3 years ago
They reversed the flow of the river because they dumped all their waste in it and it was contaminating their drinking water. Rather than stop, they changed the flow of the river and as a result, St. Louis floods every year because of the added flow.
Load More Replies...
M O'Connell 3 years ago
Wonderful examples of the Chicago type double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge.
Bi-Polar Express 3 years ago
Take the architecture tour on the river if you ever get the chance. So much about the river, bridges, and buildings.
#33
Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway China
Unknown 3 years ago
Look at all that wide open space! Can we start sending the people destroying the Earth there to live? I like my trees...
SkekVi 3 years ago
no because deserts are ecosystems too, and have lots of delicate nature just like forests.
Load More Replies...
Purple light 3 years ago
My dumb a**e was looking at this picture thinking about how they would drive the train through all that sand. It took me a while to realise that those are the shadows of the railroad and pillars.
#34
Urban Ropeway, Kisha-Michi Bridge, Yokohama, Japan
Brandon Marlowe 3 years ago
We need this in Nashville, Tennessee. Downtown has not enough parking and LOTS of people who could commute this way.
Evil Little Thing 3 years ago (edited)
I think this is a sightseeing thing, not commuter transport. Does Nashville have trains?
Load More Replies...
Dani Fogel 3 years ago
We actually have this in Israel, up in the north, from top to bottom of the city. A bus could take an hour, while this takes 20 min, and costs like a bus ride within the city. Huge help, especially for students.
#35
Underground Urban Highway In Tehran, Iran
Brandon Marlowe 3 years ago
So sad that Iran is now adversarial with most of the "free" world. The Persian people have an amazing culture and we enjoyed a good relationship with them for a long time. I hope we can somehow get back to that. Supporting the Shah turned out to be a huge mistake.
Kurt Ramsey 3 years ago
The Iranian people didn't always support the Shah. In the 1950s, they overthrew the Shah and held elections. Unfortunately, the new democratic government did not give the same preferential treatment to US businesses, so the CIA orchestrated a coup and put the Shah back in power. When the Shah was overthrown again, in 1979, it was with a government that was less than thrilled with America. Turning a blind eye to Iraq's starting an eight year war with Iran, one in which they used chemical weapons against Iran didn't help either.
Load More Replies...
Mark Karol-Chik 3 years ago
I find it so sad that, once again, religion drive's a stake into the world and separates us.
Shaista Afridi 3 years ago
it has nowt to do with religion, shut up islamaphobe
Load More Replies...
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
This is terrible city planning! This section is 12 lanes wide. We don't need urban highways - we need liveable, walkable cities!
Pursuing Peonies 3 years ago
More underground highways would make for a more walkable city and the 6 lanes on the outside may be going to a different place than the 6 lanes in the center.
Load More Replies... #36
Tunnel Exits And Precarious Pylons, Boundary Dam, Wa
Unknown 3 years ago
Yes, Washington state. In the northwest of the us, on the Pacific Ocean just below the Canadian border. I apologize for my non-specific cohabitators
Load More Replies... #37
Trains In Tokyo, Japan
Kay Phillips 3 years ago
These are literally just trains. How is this brilliant infrastructure?
Mandie Hanson 3 years ago
They are rarely late. The whole train system there is very thought out and a lot of care is put into it. Each train station, for instance, has its own theme music based on the location it is in. If a train runs late, letters excusing tardiness are given to workers for their jobs. And that is not to mention the speed of the trains either.
Load More Replies...
Bored Retsuko 3 years ago
Not as brilliant as others in this list, maybe, but a very good photo!
#38
Elevated Highway In Central Hong Kong
Kate 3 years ago
At least they didn't evict the tenants to build the road.
Load More Replies... Lara Verne 3 years ago (edited)
I wouldn't mind if they make elevated bridges for pedestrians and cyclists.. But this is depressing.
#39
The Amount Of Highway Posts Recently Has Been Disturbing, So Here's St Pancras And Kings Cross Termini In London
Bianca Saville 3 years ago
Google maps the front of both stations. They are fab!
Load More Replies... #40
Intersection Of Chiba Urban Monorail, Japan
#41
Aquawater Park, Qatar
Unknown 3 years ago
Qatar, like, the desert? Maybe it's just me, but this seems a bit unnecessary...
Sarah 3 years ago (edited)
There is a lot of coastline in Qatar also. Beautiful beaches in some areas. They aren't short on water supply at all.
Load More Replies...
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
Looks like a death trap to me. I'll pass, tyvm, especially after reading about a passenger on a cruise ship getting stuck in the water slide on board!
Load More Replies... 
Hobby Hopper 3 years ago
Right next to the Terrasoil Center and the Gasair labs.
Load More Replies... #42
A Scene At Chongqing, China
#43
NYC Subway Trains On The Williamsburg Bridge
Teampandas GF 3 years ago
I think it is a good decision to put the train/subway in between the different road directions to prevent car crashes.
#44
Under Construction Western Dedicated Freight Corridor In India
#45
Manhattan 1964
Nimues Child 3 years ago
"But it's like Buck Rogers! You'll love it!" Nope. We didn't.
Load More Replies... Teampandas GF 3 years ago
I'm so glad I live in a beautiful small city next to a not too big city where I can go almost everywhere by foot, bike or train/bus. But yeah, that's in Europe.
Load More Replies... Kay Phillips 3 years ago
I don't know if you've all heard, but you're NOT supposed to see the air.
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
This photo was taken in 1964, one year after federal pollution controls were enacted. The air in most of the big cities in the U.S. looked like this at that time. It was nasty.
Load More Replies... Memere 3 years ago
Back in 1968, my parents took us on a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. We had to fly in to LaGuardia in NYC, then take a cab over to Kennedy to catch our flight to San Juan. It was nighttime, & all I remember of the cab ride is being surrounded by concrete. I've never wanted to go back to NYC again. This country girl just can't take it.
Robert Trebor 3 years ago
Those are the bus ramps to the Port Authority Bus Terminal form the Lincoln Tunnel which goes across to New Jersey.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Brandon Marlowe 3 years ago
Nice post, BP. Of course I like anything that's not another AITA repost.
Zophra 3 years ago
So I look at this amazing design and engineering and I see what incredible technologies other fields have developed, and I wonder why don't we live in a cleaner world? Is there no money in developing clean technologies? No creative intelligent people wanting to enter that field? Why have we as humankind progressed in so many areas but not in living cleanly with our environment? Just my reoccuring pensive depressing thought.
Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
Because of the sheer volume of money made by oil companies. Right from the very beginning, oil companies have worked to crush all alternatives. For example, Los Angeles originally had a highly successful light-rail system. Big Oil got friendly with the city government (money changed hands) and the rail system was torn out to make way for freeways. And right up to today, oil companies are pulling the exact same s**t.
Load More Replies...
Crowsgoin*brrr* 3 years ago
Meh, this isn't something that I would be proud of, yes some beautiful things... but all them roads? Nope
Load More Replies...
Gavin Johnson 3 years ago
Some interesting engineering feats but let’s be honest, some of these are examples of how inventive human beings can be when they are wrecking our planet. Destroying the earth even when it is pretty is still destroying the earth. An elevated road or bridge that animals can use is still changing their behaviours and expecting them to adapt to our presence, this is still putting our needs ahead of theirs.
Thomas Moore 3 years ago
I'm surprised Sydney (Australia) didn't get a spot here, it's certainly got some... Interesting roadways.
Locked In The Cellar 3 years ago
The Delta Project in the Netherlands is missing! A giant storm surge barrier that is open to let the tides through and preserve the sea life on the inside, but can turn into a closed dam when there's a storm coming.
Brandon Marlowe 3 years ago
Nice post, BP. Of course I like anything that's not another AITA repost.
Zophra 3 years ago
So I look at this amazing design and engineering and I see what incredible technologies other fields have developed, and I wonder why don't we live in a cleaner world? Is there no money in developing clean technologies? No creative intelligent people wanting to enter that field? Why have we as humankind progressed in so many areas but not in living cleanly with our environment? Just my reoccuring pensive depressing thought.
Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
Because of the sheer volume of money made by oil companies. Right from the very beginning, oil companies have worked to crush all alternatives. For example, Los Angeles originally had a highly successful light-rail system. Big Oil got friendly with the city government (money changed hands) and the rail system was torn out to make way for freeways. And right up to today, oil companies are pulling the exact same s**t.
Load More Replies... Crowsgoin*brrr* 3 years ago
Meh, this isn't something that I would be proud of, yes some beautiful things... but all them roads? Nope
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 3 years ago
Some interesting engineering feats but let’s be honest, some of these are examples of how inventive human beings can be when they are wrecking our planet. Destroying the earth even when it is pretty is still destroying the earth. An elevated road or bridge that animals can use is still changing their behaviours and expecting them to adapt to our presence, this is still putting our needs ahead of theirs.
Thomas Moore 3 years ago
I'm surprised Sydney (Australia) didn't get a spot here, it's certainly got some... Interesting roadways.
Locked In The Cellar 3 years ago
The Delta Project in the Netherlands is missing! A giant storm surge barrier that is open to let the tides through and preserve the sea life on the inside, but can turn into a closed dam when there's a storm coming.
Related on Bored Panda
