Bucharest, Romania

The bridge to nowhere



















Pasajul Pipera-Tunari, Bucuresti



















Pasajul Pipera-Tunari, Bucuresti

Every place has it's own "bridge to nowhere." In the headlines this week, it came out that a new bridge, which doesn't yet connect anything, was suddenly put on hold when, upon reaching the train line that the bridge was to cross over, it was discovered that the high voltage overhead lines for the train coincide exactly with the height of the bridge. So, we had to go over there in the morning today and check it out. From the ground, it's somewhat difficult to say exactly whether the lines cross or dont cross. A followup article indicates the bridge does clear the overhead cables, but that there are other problems with the supports for the cables, and other conflicts between planned work for train line and planned work for the bridge, neither of which were coordinated with each other, and that the project involves the other infamous phrase "EU funds." So, we had to check it out for the sketchblog.

Pipera is an area under construction; on the edge of the city, the area is full of small 1-1/2 lane roads. So, driving over to the famous intersection at the rail line via one of the 1-1/2 lane roads, you suddenly come across the giant concrete bridge springing out of a field in the middle of nowhere but not actually connecting to the street. As I was sketching there, a train actually came through the intersection, probably carrying some of the tourists from the city on their way to the seaside. The line is the main line that goes to the seaside, and right now is the start of the tourist high season, so it'll probably be a while before the various parties can agree on and implement a solution to the problem.... probably at least until the end of the tourist season.

http://www.realitatea.net/cfr--lucrarile-la-pasajul-pipera-au-loc-fara-avizul-companiei--mai-mult--nu-s-au-respectat-dimensiunile-necesare-securitatii-cailor-ferate_521952.html

http://www.tykryt.com/2009/05/21/pasajul-pipera-povestea-continua/

http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/pasajul-din-pipera-o-iluzie-optica.html