Sava River BridgeBelgrade, Serbia
 The country of Serbia is on the brink of a remarkable turnaround. After two decades of war and isolation, the former "darling of Europe" is now positioning itself to gain acceptance into the European Union. Two massive problems threaten to derail this emerging Balkan state's dreams: crumbling infrastructure and a national image still marred by the Balkan wars. The capital city of Belgrade hopes to solve both with an ambitious $480 million infrastructure project. Its centerpiece: one of the most magnificent new bridges in the world. The Sava River Bridge is designed to be the largest single-pylon cable bridge in the world. The bridge will span the Sava River — a major tributary of the Danube with barge traffic that serves as an economic lifeline for the Balkans. By using only a single 640-foot-high pylon to support a 1,200-foot-long main span, the bridge's small footprint minimizes the disruption of vital boat traffic while connecting old Belgrade to the city's new industrial zone. Holding up such a massive bridge span (more than 8,600 tons) with only a single pylon has never been attempted before. Build It Bigger arrives on-site at a critical juncture in construction. Crews extend the height of the pylon to nearly 600 feet to create one of the most remarkable bridges in the world. If workers succeed, this city will create a spectacular new national icon, open a freight corridor connecting Europe to the East, and demonstrate Serbia's readiness to become an active player in the European community |
advertisement
Shop Science Channel
|
-
our sites
-
video
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
