Why It Is Impossible To Build a Bridge Between USA & Russia

[@seerabchristi989]

And ironically not too far a distance too swim... Or walk across in winter when its frozen.. yep can be done from alaska too russia... And there are some who have actually done it.

[@jamesbutler6253]

Who swam 88.5 km? That is the closest distance between Russia and Alaska.

[@kenhofer8063]

@@jamesbutler6253 nobody

[@deezynar]

It's almost 1,000 kilometers from Fairbanks to the strait on the American side, and that's straight line distance. A real road would be much longer to get around numerous mountains, rivers, and swamps. And the Siberian side faces the same challenges, and it's nearly twice as far to any existing roads. But it's not just distance that's challenging, it's the terrain. The highways needed to get to the strait would cost far more than a bridge, or tunnel across the strait. And you may as well build a road with a roof over it if you plan on using it in the winter. The cost to remove snow on thousands of kilometers of highway running across expanses of open wilderness would be insane.

[@aerocarnie]

He DOES mention the lack of infrastructure in the video: 7:37

[@deezynar]

@@aerocarnie I fixed it, but the point is still the same. Crossing the strait is NOT the biggest problem they have to solve, the roads needed to get to either side of the strait are more challenging. And keeping all of that road open through the winters would be extremely expensive.

[@aerocarnie]

@@deezynarCool. And yeah, it's interesting to imagine but it would be ridiculous to attempt in reality. Unless it were a bridge just for sled dogs lol

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Apart from despots showing off, what is the point of a Bering Straight bridge/tunnel? Who would use it?

[@Scar626]

I see he talks about the viability from an engineering perspective, but I think a bridge like that would never be built because the US and Russia hates each other (probably at least as long as the last cold war).

[@youngheroengineer]

Exactly, I don't think this crossing will ever be constructed due to the tension between the two countries. But, It will be a feat of engineering if it constructed. To see how many attempts and plans have been put to build this crossing is almost outrageous. Especially that we don't know if it's going to reduce freight cost between the two continents.

[@SubvertTheState]

I mean I agree, it's a huge feat of engineering and there's war between the two countries. But this is how America was made. Painfully blasting the Rocky Mountains, digging and building bridges over vast canyons. The first real towns which were established in the West were rail towns. Land and road connections with small towns along the way would actually make America and Siberia accessible to each other. People become relatable and more human to each other when they are a few days train ride away.

[@petersnushall7293]

It is NOT impossible, it is impracticable! Technology is available to achieve this, but the need/benefit does not warrant the immense cost.

[@henrygarner646]

Nothing is impossible. The channel tunnel between Britain and France is over 31 miles. We could build 6 of these (three complete sections, one for cars, one for train, and one for Semi/LMV- and it would cost much less than a stupid bridge. And due to the curvature of the earth, it technically would be a shorter distance than a bridge. Also, given that nice little island right in the middle, the US and Russia would be able to control their “Halve” of the transportation line so that in the event of a conflict, one side could not threaten to completely flood the entire project. Both sides could also control half of the toll as well, making it an equally fair economic endeavor. If we used magnet train technology, the amount of oil & gas currently used to transport goods across the pacific would fall substantially if the rail system was built out properly over the years to link europe, asia and africa to quebec, new york, la and panama. We’d need a seperate project (A bridge would be optimal in this case) to link south america across the panama canal- but this would be fairly cheap. Each country could pay for their section (going through their country) of this worldwide connection. If a country could not afford it and it was a necessary roadblock, the US, Russia, China and the EU could set up a joint program to loan the money and collect all fees until it was paid back. If a country chose not to be connected, then I guess thats their choice and we could find alternative routes around. Problem solved- This is not hard and would increase the wealth of everyone in the world substantially. I guess the only people who would be against this would be the oil companies, but there’s ways we could convince them.

[@georgestreicher252]

I believe some day this project will happen. The biggest problem is no infrastructure on both sides of the Bering Strait. There was a push to connect Alaska with a rail link to Winnepeg Canada. This would be a step in the right direction. What ever happened to those plans? It should also be noted that the North American railroad gage and the Russian gage are different with the Russian being about six inches wider.

[@youngheroengineer]

True, there is a difference in railroad gauge between the two countries. Thanks for pointing it out. It is tough to cover everything on this topic with so many plans that never came true. If it ever happens it will be an incredible overtaking.

[@EmmetGillespie-b7r]

A Bering strait crossing could be a critical Link in the proposed global highway that would allow you to drive Litterly around the world

[@keiththoma2559]

The main issue isn’t geo political. The biggest issue is lack of connections on both sides. For all the costs of building the tunnel and thousands of km of supporting infrastructure you need a very compelling business case. On the US, China, and Russian side there are bigger local infrastructure projects they can invest in before even attempting a project like this.

[@douglasengle2704]

In this extreme winter climate a nice well lit warm highway tunnel allows year round weather independent travel. Such a tunnel system has to be designed with fire suppression in mind so flammable materials can be transported. Right now and for a while a couple ice capable ferries and their ports would be the first step. These ferries would be invaluable in transporting supplies and workers back and forth while building the tunnels along with regular highway traffic. The strait averages 98 to 164 feet (30 to 50 meters) in depth and at its narrowest is about 53 miles (85 km) wide. The islands would likely be accessible from tunnels via separate spiral access ways to keep them in the foot print of the islands. From a tunneling standpoint no new technology is needed. The big difference is this would be the longest continues automotive tunnel by several magnitudes in length. It would need substantial electric power for its lighting, ventilation and pumps. Transporting high voltage electric power might be one of its many purposes besides needing it own substantial electric power system. There is likely a market for selling tunnel space for utilities such as pipe lines, communications. Natural gas and electricity are likely.

[@jamesmatheson9624]

I can build a bridge to Russia but the question is what products are we going to trade between each other

[@kennethjackson7574]

Wouldn’t it block Sarah Palin’s view of Russia? (Hee hee)

[@whiteknuckles]

Yeah, but who would use it?

[@Dave5843-d9m]

It won’t be long before China grabs that end of Siberia. USA will be building much bigger bases up there in response.

[@rppacademic]

China will not only take a part of Siberia. It will take the whole Siberia and perhaps more of Russia.

[@gxguy2906]

well, that's not bad. I hope that happens.

[@kenhofer8063]

@@gxguy2906 why? Do you want to make yourself useless

[@franciscotoro9454]

The headline should read "why it would be stupid to build a bridge between USA and Russia". Anyone with two fingers worth of forehead would realize that such region is the ideal place for a tunnel. Just see the issues with the very short bridge in the Northumberland strait in Canada.

[@MrKlipstar]

Net...Rossia Nuhsdatsya spakoy...No,Russia needs space....from Americanus...Yanka...😐😕

[@HarleyQuinKills]

We need to take more land from Russia, they are weak.

[@kenhofer8063]

@@HarleyQuinKills not as weak as you

[@pedropfaff8906]

Dont make me laugh by saying its impossibke.Napolian Hilll in " Think and Grow Rich" relates a story about Hendry Ford.Ford wanted his engineers to build a 8 cylinder engine.They said: " I was impossible" Ford said; " Do it anyway." After a year the engineers came back and said" It still impoosible Sir" Ford said; " Impossible or not;I want it done." When they came back with smiles 6 months later they grinned and said."We done it Sir"

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Nothing is impossible... but many things are very impractical. Who wants to cross the Bering Strait from frozen Siberia only to end up in frozen Alaska. It was a dream many years ago. Today we are smarter and some concepts were never meant to be. The chance there would be any cooperation between Russia and America is zero. Same goes with China. It took over a century for France and England to agree on the Channel Tunnel. Neither wanted to give up their sovereignty. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, America and Americans have zero appetite to allow a convenient military connection between both countries. Russia is broke and America will never foot the bill.

[@kenhofer8063]

America is broke too

[@SJR_Media_Group]

@@kenhofer8063 Thanks for comment

[@viteye9091]

Why to china?

[@hlalelemahlaela77]

Only The Trump Administration would build it.