Air 1 Bridge to nowhere... (unfinished railroad bridge)

Proffy · Oct 28, 2020

In the middle of Latvian countryside is an unusual structure bound to pique the curiosity of anyone who happens upon it. The “Tilts uz nekurieni,” or “Bridge to Nowhere,” is a narrow-gauge railway bridge leading nowhere at all, surrounded on both ends by nothing but a lush green meadow. The concrete span across the Abava River, just 180 feet long (55 meters), was built in 1940, intended to be part of the new Tukums-Kuldiga rail line that was under construction. It was one of a number of ambitious projects planned by the newly independent and quickly developing republic of Latvia. Then World War II broke out. With the nation at war, the railway line was never finished. The high costs of civil engineering and construction are a major consideration in building any railroad. As these activities require specialized equipment and personnel, it is not uncommon to have these portions of a project completed ahead of the general track laying. The abandoned bridge still stands intact, a strange sight in the Irlavas village, near Sāti. To many locals, the lonely Bridge to Nowhere also represents a wartime memorial of sorts. It commemorates the failed effort made by the Germans to continue the bridge during the Nazi occupation of Latvia in the early 1940s. The unique structure may serve no practical purpose, but it belongs to Latvia alone.

NOLADG · Oct 28, 2020

Very neat video. It was interesting how the bridge was constructed as well.

passedpawn · Oct 28, 2020

Interesting video and background story.

Cw4bray · Oct 28, 2020

Thanks for sharing ! Love the history. I was hoping to see you fly all the way under the bridge.

Tentoes · Oct 29, 2020

Beautiful video. Thanks for the story.

Sky Wombat · Oct 30, 2020

Interesting footage Proffy.
Could use that bridge here actually ?

Proffy · Oct 30, 2020

NOLADG said:
Very neat video. It was interesting how the bridge was constructed as well.

Thanks for the feedback!

Yeah it's really gorgeous! It will stand there probably for many years after us.

Proffy · Oct 31, 2020

passedpawn said:
Interesting video and background story.

Appreciate! [emoji1303][emoji573]

Proffy · Oct 31, 2020

Cw4bray said:
Thanks for sharing ! Love the history. I was hoping to see you fly all the way under the bridge.

Thanks! Yeah, this would be cool!!!!!

Proffy · Nov 1, 2020

Tentoes said:
Beautiful video. Thanks for the story.

Yay! Thanks for the feedback! [emoji1303][emoji573][emoji173]️

Thomas B · Nov 1, 2020

Proffy said:
In the middle of Latvian countryside is an unusual structure bound to pique the curiosity of anyone who happens upon it. The “Tilts uz nekurieni,” or “Bridge to Nowhere,” is a narrow-gauge railway bridge leading nowhere at all, surrounded on both ends by nothing but a lush green meadow. The concrete span across the Abava River, just 180 feet long (55 meters), was built in 1940, intended to be part of the new Tukums-Kuldiga rail line that was under construction. It was one of a number of ambitious projects planned by the newly independent and quickly developing republic of Latvia. Then World War II broke out. With the nation at war, the railway line was never finished. The high costs of civil engineering and construction are a major consideration in building any railroad. As these activities require specialized equipment and personnel, it is not uncommon to have these portions of a project completed ahead of the general track laying. The abandoned bridge still stands intact, a strange sight in the Irlavas village, near Sāti. To many locals, the lonely Bridge to Nowhere also represents a wartime memorial of sorts. It commemorates the failed effort made by the Germans to continue the bridge during the Nazi occupation of Latvia in the early 1940s. The unique structure may serve no practical purpose, but it belongs to Latvia alone.

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Cool pic! Love it when a history is posted with an image.