© Mar Photographics / Alamy
Erika Owen
August 17, 2015

For most bridges, there isn't a whole lot that changes when you're the driver—getting from one end to another is just a matter of minutes. That's not the case in Newport, Wales where the city is known for their 100-year-old bridge. Here's why: Instead of providing a straight-through driving or walking space, the structure transports travelers to the other side by moving a section of the bridge via cables—much like a ferry would move. There is a pedestrian walkway along the top of the bridge where the cables are located.

So why go through the trouble of creating such an elaborate work-around in place of a traditional bridge? The bridge intersects the Severn Estuary, a waterway known to have the most dramatic tide changes. At its lowest point, the space looks more like a muddy valley than estuary. Check out the bridge in action on "Things You Might Not Know" below:


You May Like