12.6 Think over the problems and give your reasons for the right solution

1. The streets of Novosibirsk are too narrow for heavy traffic. What may ease the problem – bridges or tunnels? Mind the geological conditions and radon emissions.

2. New Zealand is an island country and it is a seismically active area. What is the best mode of transport for such regions?

3. The territories beyond the Arctic Circle attract business because they are very rich in mineral recourses. Soon they will need some Railway and Motorway ES. What kinds of them are preferable for permafrost?

The Word List

1. Collision, inpact	столкновение с препятствием
2. Сoncrete laying	укладка бетона
3. Fairway, waterway	фарватер
4. Gate-tunnel	рампа
5. Gust	порыв ветра
6. Preliminary study	предварительное исследование
7. Serviceable condition	работоспособное состояние
8. Scaled down	уменьшенный масштаб
9. State surrounded by water	островное государство
10. Streamlined shape	обтекаемость
11.Technologically feasible	технологически выполнимый
12. Ventilation fan	вентилятор
13. Wind tunnel	аэродинамическая труба

12.7 Read this interview and make up your own dialogue using the following expressions

Completion date, deck building material, height of deck above water, height of pylons above deck, length of deck, location of the bridge, number of cables, number of piers, pylon building material, total number of spans, width of deck.

“Bridge of the Future”: Europe-Africa Bridge

Radio Tech presenter Tom Burstrom interviews engineer Lionel Hamdy.

Tom: What project are you working on now?

Lionel: We’re designing the world’s longest road bridge. Look at its small-scale model.

Tom: It’s really beautiful and looks very light. And what’s the bridge made of?

Lionel: Yes, it looks light because it is light. It uses the minimum amount of material. However, it is very strong.

Tom: Where will it be?

Lionel: Between Morocco and Spain. It’ll connect Europe with Africa.

Tom: What are the specifications of the bridge?

Lionel: Its total length will be almost 15 km long. In our design, the bridge will have two spans. Each span will be 4,800 m long.

Tom: That’s a very long span. How will that be possible?

Lionel: The Bridge will have three steel pylons on concrete piers. The pylons will be 1,000 m high. The deck will be very light and strong. It’ll be made of fiberglass.

Tom: How wide will the road deck be?

Lionel: It’ll be 32 metres wide. It’ll have four lanes of traffic. The cables are in fact made of steel and the piers, of course, are made of reinforced concrete.

Tom: Many engineers think you won’t be able to build this bridge.

Lionel: I don’t agree. I think we’ll complete it around 2030.