Monday, June 29, 2009

A Bridge of Quite Different Sighs: Tampa's 83 Year Old Columbus Drive Bridge Is Looking Strong and Sturdy in Black and White.


Tampa has plenty of bridges over the river and bays. Many of them were built several years ago and have been regularly inspected and maintained and a few, such as the Howard Franklin Bridge and Gandy Bridge over Tampa Bay, have had entire spans replaced in recent years. This bridge over the Hilllsborough River at Columbus Drive is one of those that you speed across and never give it a thought. It's so fast and routine that very few even notice they're crossing a body of water. You're only on it for a matter of seconds and then it's forgotten. A swing-type bridge built in 1926, it is an entirely different structure, and experience, when seen from the water. We need to stop once in a while and really look at these places and things from our lives that we might see every day but pay little if any attention to. Yes, admittedly it is old, and may be showing its age and some wear. But it's a fascinating example of design and engineering that is recognized as one of roughly 32,000 Historic Bridges in the United States. It was built right long ago and still serves its purpose very well. Even if we don't pause and take a closer look.
Please visit Monochrome Weekly for other images of our world as seen in black, white and subtle shades of gray.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mono - guaranteed to bring out the strength of an image.
Thanks for participating.

Lois said...

Very nice Frank! That picture looks as though it could have been taken many years ago. Sadly we don't often appreciate fine old structures like this until they are threatened. Glad this one is still useful.

Lowell said...

Beautiful bridge and beautiful photo and you're absolutely right how looking at things from a different angle brings a whole new perspective...we have some bridge around here, though, that you don't want to look at too closely - you just want to close your eyes, drive over them very fast, hold you breath and hope!

Don and Krise said...

And it looks great in black and white. I also agree we have to slow down now and then and appreciate what's around us.

Anonymous said...

Frank, if you go down the Mono Weekly sidebar to my sites and click on Matters Photographic, you will see more on the PenF and others.
Delighted you are enjoying the theme.

Regina said...

That's a beauty. Nice post.

Daily Chicago Photo said...

Great B&W photo.

Danielle said...

Great post! What a neat bridge. Love the pillar posts. Nice to read the facts about it ;)