Every bridge takes geometry into account as it is a vital part of ensuring the bridge is sturdy, durable and can handle the weight it will be subject to. Geometric constraints will also determine the type of bridge that can be built at certain sites. It is not surprising therefore that I have multiple bridges to share over the coming month.

I thought I’d start with one that caught my eye in northern California – the Steamboat Slough Bridge!

Steamboat Slough Bridge, Sacramento Delta

Doesn’t it have a great name. Nothing to do with the type of bridge, but a reflection of its location – it crosses the Steamboat Slough, a branch of the Sacramento River. Steamboats regularly travelled this waters between Sacramento and San Francisco, and slough in this instance means side-channel from a river.

The bridge was built in 1924 and originally the road deck would have been made of wood. In simple terms it is a bascule bridge and works in a similar way to Tower Bridge in London, it is just the counterweight is hidden at Tower Bridge. For those of a more technical nature this bridge is an Metal Rivet-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Movable: Double Leaf Bascule (Heel Trunnion)!

It is day five of GeometricJanuary, and I have been delighted by the variety of geometric squares everyone has been sharing. If you also want to join in the magic of geometry this month, then all you need remember is that your main image must be Square in shape. Everything else is a recommendation;

  • it is a daily challenge but you can also post weekly, just once in January or whatever frequency suits you and your blog
  • it is totally up to you whether you pingback via your post or add your link with a comment on one of my daily square posts. Both approaches work.
  • it helps me enormously when I create the galleries if you use the tag GeometricJanuary
  • keep an eye on your spam as my comments are disappearing on some of your posts

86 thoughts

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  5. Impressive bridge. Metal Rivet-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Movable: Double Leaf Bascule sounds like a member of the royal family!

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  7. I am married to an Engineer. We stop and marvel at bridges regularly. Specific travel patterns to hit bridges like the Firth of Forth or the Iron Bridge in Wales. Yep, he’s that guy… so I could likely do a few bridge posts! He’d also give me an idea why the counter weight is so huge on the bridge you posted.

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    1. ooh I’d love to hear the reason why.

      My late husband wasn’t an engineer but loved all things like this so we often took detours and special visits too. He was also great at providing information on why things were engineered certain ways sometimes. So if yours can enlighten me I’ll be delighted

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