Bulwar Traffic

Yesterday's afternoon traffic in Bulwar Filadlfijski (Philadelphia Boulevard), that stretches along between the River Vistula on the left and the city walls on the right. In the distance you can see the main bridge which is often the cause of many traffic jams. Next year a brand new 2nd road bridge will open up further down the river.

By the way it's got its name due to the fact that Toruń is actually twinned with Philadelphia, USA.

The Faded View

Toruń's landmark cathedral captured through the dirty window of a local city bus as it sped across the bridge. In a way I kind of like the blurred effect!

Restaurant with a View

This is the view from a table in the restaurant of the 4-star Hotel Bulwar. From here you can see the frozen River Vistula and the road bridge.

The View

This is the view from the leaning tower looking across towards the Vistula.

Flowers and Buildings

These beautiful flowers are to be found in Ul.Szeroka. Behind them you can see the rows of buildings of Ul.Mostowa and at the end - the bridge gate which used to connect to a bridge (hence the name) across the River Vistula.

ABC Wednesday: P is for Park Street bridge

You've seen this bridge before here and here.  But I don't think you've seen it with the road bed up.  This bridge was built in the late 1930s and still works really well.  Today a small sailboat with a tall mast stopped traffic.  Visit more "P" posts at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday meme.

Beer and Bridge

Relaxing having a beer on the patio of the upmarket Bulwar Hotel. Today is Constitution Day here in Poland...which means another public holiday! Not that I am complaining!! ;-)

Mind your Head!

This evening, we were held up by traffic...not because it was over congested...but because this plonker had taken his lorry under a low-level bridge and obviously thought he had a lot more space than he did!! He was then forced to spend ages trying to dismantle his roof!

Reminds me of a story I heard about a Polish bus driver in the UK, who misread the sign and drove his double-decker bus under a low bridge!! Needless to say, thanks to him the British company went bust! Oops!...

Sunday Bridge Series: Park Street bridge

This is a long view of the Park Street bridge that I've previously shown you here, here, and here.   this is one of a number of drawbridges on the estuary that runs into the bay.  The green frog on the far right advertises a restaurant that offers a happy hour mai tai at a cheap price.  For more bridge photos, visit «Louis'» meme, the Sunday Bridge Series.

Skywatch Friday: view from a bridge

Late afternoon from the High Street bridge looking southeast.  The Oakland side of the estuary is on the left and Alameda boat slips are on the right.  This is our typical sky once the fog burns off and before the fog rolls back in.  I know, quit whining.  Right?  For more sky shots, visit Skywatch Friday.

Investment!

Obviously, Toruń city council is very proud of all it's investment over the past few years...as there is currently a photographic exhibition in Ul.Szeroka documenting all new investments and buildings. But the big question is...when will the new Vistula road bridge be built?

A Stream and Two Willows

Taken near Plac Rapackiego looking back towards the Old Town.

urban creek

This is Glen Echo Creek where it surfaces in Adams Park along side the Veterans Memorial Building across from Lake Merritt.  I've driven past this intersection (Grand and Harrison) a zillion times never realizing this little strip of green contains a stream.  It's startling to find such a country scene in the middle of a high traffic zone.  The creek runs down from the hills, every so often popping up above ground for a few blocks, before it goes underground again.  This engineered channel contains the creek for a block or so until it goes under Grand Avenue.  But before it goes underground, it flows under this old timey-looking bridge.  You see where I'm going with this, right?  A reflection and a bridge can only mean that I'm submitting this photo to two memes this weekend.  For more reflections and bridges from around the world, please visit James' Weekend Reflections and «Louis'» Sunday Bridge Series.  And have a great weekend.

ABC Wednesday: P is for Park Street Bridge

Can't help myself; it's the Park Street Bridge again.  There's something about the color and silhouette that keeps calling me back.  This time we even have pedestrians perambulating the path across the bridge.  Visit ABC Wednesday for other "P" subjects from around the world.

Sunday Bridge Series: High Street Bridge

This is the High Street Bridge, one of three bridges connecting Oakland to the island community of Alameda.  (There's also the Posey Tube that goes under the Estuary to Alameda).  This drawbridge has a similar design to the Park Street Bridge, although it was built four years later (1939).  See other bridge photos, hosted weekly by San Francisco Bay DP.

Theme Day: Red

At the end of Shoreline Park is a short pier jutting out into the bay. It seems to have been designed specifically for fishing.  This photo was taken from that spot yesterday.  This is the Oakland Bay Bridge, built in less that 4 years and inaugurated in 1936.  It is a double deck bridge with SF bound traffic on the top level.  The better known Golden Gate Bridge was completed seven months later.  Both are engineering marvels.  A fascinating account of the construction of both bridges can be found in High Steel published in 1979.  For more theme day photos Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

the Park Street bridge

The Park Street bridge which links Oakland to Alameda.  View other Sunday bridge photos at San Francisco Daily Photo.

The Bridge

Toruń's one and only pedestrian/traffic bridge has been standing over the Vistula since the 1930's. It often gets blocked with immense tailbacks and for anyone living on the southern side of the river, delays are often inevitable. A 2nd bridge has been on the cards for many years. And it is still just that...on the cards. The plans are in place...but the latest news is that the project is currently without an engineer. Watch this space!

Weekend Reflection: grain elevators in Oakland?

Almost, but not quite.  This is the ConAgra flour making plant situated on the Estuary near the Park Street Bridge.  One of several industries still located on the Estuary.  The area is slowly being transformed by the condos that are being built along the water.  This view is looking northwest towards Jack London Square and a more formal marina.  For other Weekend Reflections, click here.

Weekend Reflection: two Oakland bridges

A view of the Fruitvale Bridge from the Park Street Bridge.  As you can see, the Estuary still has some industry along its shore.  But the water is always beautiful to look at.  For more Weekend Reflections, click here.