- Why Bridges Don’t Sink (practical.engineering)
The essence of a bridge is not just that it goes over something, but that there’s clear space underneath for a river, railway, or road. Maybe this is already obvious to you, but bridges present a unique structural challenge. In a regular road, the forces are transferred directly into the ground. On a bridge, all those forces on the span get concentrated into the piers or abutments on either side. Because of that, bridge substructures are among the strongest engineered systems on the planet. And yet, bridge foundations are built in some of the least ideal places for heavy loading. Rivers and oceans have soft, mucky soils that can’t hold much weight. Plus, obviously, a lot of them are underwater.
- Deception Pass Park Brochure.pdf (parks.wa.gov)
With dramatic headlands, tranquil forests, windswept beaches and quiet meadows, Deception Pass State Park captures your imagination and invites your exploration. Spanning the tips of Whidbey and Fidalgo islands, the park is treasured for its spectacular scenery, rich history and diverse recreational opportunities. Visitors may enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, swimming, boating, photography, beach exploration, scuba diving, learning or simply relaxing.
