Crossing Bridges Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chains

The chains proved to be hardy and durable. One of his iron chain suspension bridges - the Chakzam Bridge (pictured), near Lhasa - still existed in 1948. It is believed that there may be others more remote that are still in use in Tibet and Bhutan.

Gyalpo was certainly a polymath. He established the Tibetan Opera, changed the course of Buddhism, and built forges for metal smelting. Some stories about him are rather more fanciful - e.g. he could split boulders by pointing his finger at them.

Answer: Opening of the Brooklyn Bridge

John Augustus Roebling is given credit for designing and engineering the Brooklyn Bridge (called the East River Bridge at the time). He died before it was built, but his son Washington Roebling supervised its construction. Eventually, he too became ill and was restricted to his apartment that had a view of the construction site. His wife assisted with day-to-day communications. President Chester A. Arthur, Mayor Franklin Edson, and Emily Warren Roebling were among the first to cross.

The bridge cost $15.5 million to build and 27 people died during construction. At that time it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The opening was accompanied by gunfire from ships and a fireworks display. P. T. Barnum led a parade of 21 elephants over the Brooklyn Bridge, led by Jumbo.

Answer: Engineering errors

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed on November 7, 1940. Failure was generally ascribed to a series of engineering errors. Having solid sides, for instance, did not allow for proper wind protection. After the event, engineering schools had to revise standards for suspension bridges. No human lives were lost, but a frightened dog that refused to leave his owner's car died.

Answer: Rialto Bridge

Originally the bridge had rows of shops were built along the sides. The government collected rent for maintenance of the bridge. The Bridge of Sighs dates to 1600, Accademia to 1854, and Scalzi to 1934.

Answer: 1968

The London Bridge was disassembled and sent to Havasu, Arizona. Each stone was carefully numbered and coded. It took three years before the final stone was put in place in 1971. Water was diverted from the Colorado River to flow under the bridge. Today it is not only still part of the original housing development, but a tourist destination in itself, with upscale resorts in the area.

Answer: Michigan

Not only is the Mackinac Bridge an engineering achievement but it was the first time upper and lower Michigan were accessible to each other. For many years residents of the upper peninsula thought they were the forgotten step-children of the political powers in Lansing. Frequently there were gestures to secede to Wisconsin with whom it shares a long physical border.

Although the need for a bridge was established in the mid-1800s, it made slow progress through complicated political and financial mazes. Ferry services failed as the weather did not permit year-round services. In 1957 the five mile suspension span was completed. Engineers credit the success of the bridge to lessons learned in the Tacoma Narrows project.

Answer: Gold refers to the bay beneath not the bridge

Do you remember the 1936 film "San Francisco" where Jeanette MacDonald sang "San Francisco! Open your golden gate, You let no stranger wait outside your door". The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. This was the first sight of immigrants reaching San Francisco. It is believed that it was named by John C. Fremont in 1846, although he called it be its Greek name Chrysoceras.

What might be called burnt orange is referred to as international orange and is by formula magenta, yellow, and black. The bridge is painted and touched up on a daily basis.

Answer: It privatized the Skyway

Chicago agreed to a joint-venture between the Australian Macquarie Infrastructure Group and Spanish Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte S.A. This group assumed operations on the Skyway with a 99-year operating lease for an infusion of cash. SCC is responsible for all operating and maintenance costs and rights to all toll and concession revenue.

It was the first instance of a major city privatizing a public road.

You can always tell an Illinois road---it surrounded by orange barrels.

Answer: Key West

The Seven Mile Bridge is part of the Overseas Highway that connects Miami with the Florida Keys and Key West. The slightly less than seven mile span is part of 45 bridges that service the 110 mile route. It replaced a railroad track that was destroyed by a hurricane. It was replaced in 1982 by the present roadway.

The area conjures up romantic images. Besides the artist colony and the legacy of Ernest Hemingway in Key West, each of the Keys has a story to tell. Film makers have found it a delight as "License To Kill"(1989), "True Lies"(1994), "2 Fast 2 Furious"(2003), "Mission Impossible III"(2006), and, in spite of the grandeur of New Zealand, "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"(2003).

Answer: Oregon

The location was near Cottage Grove, Oregon. After the train wreck stunt, Buster moved on and left the train where it collapsed. However, the enterprising citizens of Cottage Grove made it a tourist attraction. It was, however, dismantled for scrap during World War Two.

Although the film did not receive immediate positive reception, its reputation among film historians grew. It is now regarded as a classic film from the silent era and Keaton's finest work.