40 New Pics That Show The Beauty Of Well-Planned Infrastructure, As Shared On This Online Group
Let's appreciate brilliant infrastructure for a moment. Throughout history, various examples have proven that bridges, roads, dams, power plants, and other forms of infrastructure can successfully blend beauty with functionality. Combine perfect timing with the right angle, and you'll be treated to some breathtaking imagery as well.
On Reddit, there's a community that loves aesthetic infrastructure. The 713k members of the group share everything from soaring bridges that span great chasms to towering skyscrapers that pierce the sky.
If you're seeking something visually pleasing, this fresh compilation of pictures we've curated could be just what you're after. Upvote your favorite ones and drop a comment on the ones that truly satisfied your aesthetic craving.
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Banff Wildlife Crossing Project, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Combined With Fencing To Keep The Animals Off The Road
The structures have reduced animal-vehicle collisions in the area by more than 80%
Brilliant infrastructure is a showcase of human creativity and hard work. It includes amazing engineering and design that can change how areas look, bring people together, and push us forward. Think of famous bridges over large bodies of water or modern transit systems that make cities easier to navigate – these are examples of how people working together can make incredible things happen.
Thought You Would Be Interested In This Skew Bridge In Scotland
Dedicated Bus Lanes In The Middle Of The A40 Autobahn In Essen, Germany
These structures do more than just their jobs; they also make our surroundings look better. The way they're designed combines how they look with what they do, making them both attractive and practical. Each piece of brilliant infrastructure tells a story of big ideas, careful planning, and lots of effort to make things perfect.
Heatherwick Rolling Bridge - Paddington Basin, London, England, UK
Suspension Railway - Wuppertal, Germany
One of my favourite places, I once rented a car in Amsterdam for a day just to go there (and I've been once more since). It's so fun and also fascinating from an engineering perspective. Highly recommend the videos on it on YouTube, specifically from Tim Traveler and Tom Scott.
The Falkirk Wheel, A Rotating Boat Lift In Scotland. It Replaces The Original 11 Locks On The Forth And Clyde Canal Junction With The Union Canal
Well boat lifts like that don't need much, both bays weigh exactly same
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They have elevators and traincars for boats on the canals in Belgium. Using the weight of the water to drive them.
This works on a similar principle, uses very little energy to operate it.
Load More Replies... This definitely isn't the most flattering picture in terms of seeing how it works.
Well...that took me down an odd rabbit hole. This photo shows a tiny strip going down stream (bottom left). That doesn't look much wider then a row boat. So I had to figure that out. Its another little lock of sorts to connect to the rest of the canal.
These are SO cool. I highly recommend finding a YouTube video of this to see how it works. Impressive
Infrastructure is like the backbone of strong economies. It helps things move, like goods and people and provides important things like energy and water for businesses. It's also needed for services we rely on, such as electricity, clean water, internet, transportation, healthcare, education, and protection from natural disasters.
Royal Gorge Bridge - Fremont County, Colorado
A Cycle Path That Goes Through A Lake In Bokrijk, Belgium
Temporary Road Build Around A Landslide In Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Those are modular temporary bridges. Once the landslide is fixed they will be removed and the modules reused somewhere else. The claims floating online about it being constructed in 24 hours are false, it took four of months to build (there are calculations and checks to do before the actual building, and manufacturing the carpentry pillars).
According to OECD website, "Infrastructure currently contributes to 79% of GHG emissions globally, we must examine how public and private infrastructure can contribute to respecting the Paris Agreement and achieving the SDGs and that we determine the standards and policy guidance can guide countries to achieve these outcomes."
Storseisundet Bridge - Norway
Devil's Bridge - Bulgaria
3D Model Of Tokyo’s Subway System
The choices we make about infrastructure today will shape the kind of future we all share. It's in our hands to build a foundation that paves the way for a better tomorrow. The changing economy requires us to rethink infrastructure: make it more digital, sustainable, and fair. This covers everything from better internet access to new bike lanes, marking a significant infrastructure evolution.
Magdeburg Water Bridge - Magdeburg, Germany
Utrecht, The Netherlands: 50 Years Ago, This Canal Was Filled And Converted Into A Highway. Now It Has Finally Been Transformed Back, With Space For Cyclists And Nature As Well
A lot of dammed up canals have been reopened in The Netherlands over the last 20 years. It really makes a difference to the landscape and quality of life.
Bastei Walking Bridge - Germany - 1851
I love how well this blends in to the environment, at least visually.
In the past, infrastructure was constructed to address particular problems, like dealing with local concerns such as sanitation, flooding, or travel needs. Often, there was limited consideration for future requirements due to short-term politics. This has led to infrastructure becoming inadequate and overwhelmed as it rapidly reached its limits.
Jacksonville, Florida Interchange
Tram From 1926 Still In Active Traffic On The Streets Of Stockholm, Sweden, November 2022
I love the old trams. So much more cozy to ride in them than the modern ones.
The Ancient Roman Aqueduct In Segovia, Spain - Standing Since The 1st Century
AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are changing infrastructure, showing it's going digital. Green infrastructure is also in demand. There are intentions to invest in urban spaces for walking, cycling, socializing, and dining. In the future, infrastructure needs better planning, using improved predictions for demand and weather changes. People will want smarter infrastructure that saves energy, improves buildings, and eases traffic. This improvement should come from using smart systems and data to make better decisions and predictions.
Elevated Metro Line Integrated Into Park It Passes Over In Kolkata, India
Gigantic Bridge In Germany, 158 Meter Tall, 1702 Meters Long
The Canals Of London
We sometimes don't realize the value of what's right in front of us – the hard work and talent that make our cities great. These new insights might help us appreciate outstanding infrastructure more. Keep scrolling for amazing infrastructure pictures, and for more, check out our previous coverage on the topic here and here.
The Stockholm Telephone Tower With Approximately 5,500 Telephone Lines, 1890
No One Does Train Stations Like China
Peljesac Bridge, Croatia, Night Before The Opening Day
Bridge was built in order to bypass a small portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina we had to cross to get to most southern part of the country.
Jacob’s Ladder On The Remote Atlantic Island Of St. Helena Is One Of The Longest Straight Stairways In The World, Rising 183m
Elevated Tram At The Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Due To The Destruction Of A Certain Russian Bridge, The Vasco De Gama Bridge In Lisbon, Portugal Is Now The Longest (Usable) Bridge In Europe
Bharati Research Station Of India In Antarctica
This Is The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel. It Will Fill With Water To Protect Tokyo From Flooding. The Concrete Support Towers Are 18m Tall
Hardly anyone knows that there is a similar hall underground - — below Munich‘s largest beer-garden. (Hirschgarten) There is a tour open to public twice a year which also includes a visit through one of the oldest sewage systems. Not recommended if you are easily nauseated by the odor of feces. But truely interesting with lots of fun facts!
Millau Viaduct
The Entrance To What Once Was The Longest Railway Tunnel In The World. Northern Line, London Underground
Road Cut Through Taroko Gorge, Taiwan
A Novel High Voltage Electricity Pylon Called 'Bog Fox, In Estonia By Part Architects
Worli-Bandra Sea Link, Mumbai, India
Three Trains Passing At A Time Through Mukundara Hills National Park. Rajasthan, India
Train In Argentine’s Patagonia (Esquel, Chubut Province)
Viaduct 13, Brazil. It Is The Tallest Viaduct In The Americas And The Second Tallest In The World. It Is 143 Meters High And Was Built In The 1970s
This description is such a joke. The list of tallest bridges and viaducts starts at 200m high, there 91 bridges on that list. This one is far away from being even close to be 100th tallest in the world. It's beautiful and impressive, but come on, some facts checking.
FedEx Superhub Memphis, Tn - Over 90 FedEx Aircraft In This Picture Alone!
Boston
USB Type Shaped Port, Rheinhäfen Karlsruhe, Germany
I think it's a coincidence as it was made long before USB was a thing.
The Mozes Bridge (Loopgraafbrug) - Fort De Roovere, Halsteren, Netherlands
Public Elevator In Luxembourg, Free As All Other Public Transportation
High Trestle Trail Bridge - Boone County, Iowa
A Wall In Ancient Ostia Where The Bricks Were Laid According To The Scheme Called Opus Reticulatum, With Bricks Arranged Diagonally. The Ancient Romans Knew Earthquake Tremors Were Transmitted Diagonally And This Could Cope Better Than A Horizontal Pattern
Kapellbrucke Chapel Bridge - Lucerne, Switzerland
One Of The 10 Largest Solar Plants In The World Under Construction In Mexico
Séliš Ksanka Ql’ispé Dam At Polson, Montana, United States
It was originally known as the Kerr Dam, after the president of the company that built it during the Depression era. It's in Flathead Tribal reservation lands, and in 2015 was bought over, and renamed in honour of the three main Tribal peoples in the area.
Čechův Most, Prague
Panama Canal Locks Under Construction In 1912
Under Manchester Streets
The Tijuana International Airport In Mexico Has A Terminal In The Us Which Is Connected To The Main Building Through A Bridge Over The Border
Aqueduct Of Valens, Built In The Year Of 368 Ad In Constantinople
The Pont du Gard, France, is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD . gard-64dc7...c36ece.jpg 
The Bridge Over The Mountain Spring Lake In Romania
Another Image Of The New Bicycle Storage In Amsterdam, With Space For 7000 Bikes Below The Water In Front Of Central Station
Wuppertal In The Night
Sea Cliff Bridge - Highway 1 - Australia
Good bridge, some settlement problems at one of the abutments. This completely solves the problem of road blockages due to landslides that used to plague this road.
Old Bridge Hidden Under The New One. Barcelona, Spain
Monorail Passes Through Liziba Station In Chongqing, China. It Passes Through The Sixth And Eighth Floors Of The 19-Story Apartment Building
A friend’s apartment is near a subway, and it’s horrible, so living on/under... vibrations, noise, smell...
Constitucion Train Station In Buenos Aires, Argentina
Someone Recommended That I Post This Denver Lightrail Station Entrance On Here
2004 Photo Of The Millau Viaduct In Southern France Under Construction
Clifton Suspension Bridge - Bristol, England, UK
The Lner Azuma Train Crosses Edinburgh's Forth Bridge
The Metro In Lausanne, Switzerland - The Smallest City In The World To Have A Full Metro System
This Not A Town, This Is A Single Chemical Plant In Burghausen, Germany (Wacker Chemie Ag)
Newly Inaugurated Cycling And Walking Track In Bengaluru, India
Nh 44, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. The Longest National Highway In The Country. Picture: The_prabster
Highway 99 Above, Highway 1 And Bc Ferries Queue Below - West Vancouver, Canada
Gosh! I know that one. I traveled the Hwy 99 to Whistler last September when I was there for my daughters wedding.
Road To Nowhere, Monument Valley, Az, USA
Oil Rig In Brage Oil Field Located In The North Sea 120 Km Northwest Of The City Of Bergen
The Tientsin Eye Yongle Bridge - Tianjin, China
You get on, and it spins faster and faster until you get flicked off by centrifugal force and land at the far end of the bridge
Paddington Station On The Elizabeth Line, London, UK
Crystal Palace Transmitter, London
Channel enough power into it and it opens a gateway to another dimension
Lacerda Elevator, Salvador, Brazil. It Is The First Public Elevator In The World. Built In 1873, When It Opened It Was The Tallest Elevator In The World At 63 Meters High
New Solar Plant In Campeche, Mexico
Palo Verde Nuclear Powerplant. Located 45 Miles From Phoenix Az, The Plant Uses The Cities Treated Sewage Water For Cooling. It Is The Only Nuclear Plant In The Us Not Located On A Major Body Of Water
Vancouver, Bc From The Window Of An Airplane [oc]
![Vancouver, Bc From The Window Of An Airplane [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/64b524a28aebf_o7yuwl3e3wua1__700.jpg "Vancouver, Bc From The Window Of An Airplane [oc]")
Vancouver can't grow west, can't grow north, and can't grow south. It can only grow east into valuable farmland, and they decided not to do that. They decided to instead grow the city UP. You can have your apartment, garage, super market, pharmacy, daycare, and, for many, even their place of employment in one building. They also have no freeways going straight into, or through, the city hence no debilitating traffic congestion. A truly smart city!
Safety And Alignment Improvements Taking Shape On The Transcanada Highway. Highway 1 Is One Of The Deadliest Sections Of Roadway In The Country. Canadian Rockies, British Columbia
A Roundabout Bridge In Uruguay
London Bridge Station From The Shard
Train Dock In Duluth, Minnesota. Photo Credit Dave Schauer
The Ashalim Power Station In The Negev Desert, With The Tallest Solar Tower In Israel
The Delhi–mumbai Expressway Is A 1,350 Km Long, 8-Lane Wide Under-Construction Access-Controlled Expressway Connecting India's National Capital New Delhi With Its Financial Capital Mumbai
They Started Digging Foundation For That 170 Kilometers Long Building In Saudi Arabia
This nonsense is a scam or some money laundering method. It will not be completed, but some contractors will be paid.
Suspension Rail In Wuppertal, Germany
Huangjuewan Interchange
Rumours are that there are drivers still driving around on there since the day it was built. Foaming at the mouth, wild staring eyes and thin gaunt figures with their clothing reduced to shredded rags hanging from their frail bodies as they cackle to themselves looking for the exit that has vanished. Sat navs tend to burn out after a few minutes on it
Bharati, India's 2nd Research Centre In Antarctica
Not sure why this is in here. It looks like a fairly regular building or is there something impressive about the supporting pillars?
Double Stack Container Train Of Indian Railways
The Mini Subway System Underneath The Us Capitol. It Has Two Lines, Six Stops Total, And A Maintenance Bay
O'hare vs. Midway - Size Comparison, Chicago, Il
Bay Bridge, Looking Toward San Francisco From Treasure Island
The Pipe That Carries Water Across A Gorge In Caminito Del Rey
I was here in april! The suspension bridge cost me a few years of my life, but the canyon itself was absolutely amazing
Crews Await Skytrain Tbm Breakthrough While Traffic Moves On Broadway Street Above - Vancouver, Canada
Two Indian Trains Cross Each Other Near Manmad Station In India
Elizabeth Line British Rail Class 345 Bombardier Aventra Electric Multiple Unit (Emu) Train At Farringdon Station, London, UK
I’m On The 3rd Ever Lirr Train To Leave From Grand Central, NYC
Much better post, BP. Better than all the ones designed to make us angry because of nasty people. More like this please.
Confederation Bridge (connecting New Brunswick to PEI in Canada) should be on this list. It's Canada's longest bridge (12.9km/8 Miles long) and the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_Bridge
I would need some very serious Valium to drive over many of these Bridges
And then you probably wouldn't be able to drive at all
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Much better post, BP. Better than all the ones designed to make us angry because of nasty people. More like this please.
Confederation Bridge (connecting New Brunswick to PEI in Canada) should be on this list. It's Canada's longest bridge (12.9km/8 Miles long) and the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_Bridge
I would need some very serious Valium to drive over many of these Bridges
And then you probably wouldn't be able to drive at all
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