My dad made me drive over it right after i got my learner's permit. Then he got mad when i got scared near the midway(up) point. My older cousins were getting onto him also. I was going about 30 mph up and riding the brakes going down. I was terrified when we got to the top. Then he jokingly added, imagine if you drive off this thing? My cousins let him have it!!
That’s when I crossed it back when that rod Stewart song playing was a number one hit. Once during daylight and once at night. I still have nightmares.
I live in Groves Texas, 5 minutes just west of the Bridge. Born and raised Here... I'm 58. This Bridge was built in 1936 and replaced the Ferry that had been used until then... Fun Facts: the Bridge Used to be a Two Way Bridge for Decades. The bridge Next to it wasn't built until 1990. YOU think it's scary now, imagine only having one Lane to drive in while cars in the Next lane beside you were coming at you at Highway Speeds. When I was a teenager back in 1980, I had a Girlfriend, that lived on the other side of the Bridge... I didn't have my driver's license yet so I would Ride My Sister's English Racer Bicycle across the Bridge and would get Up to around 50 Miles per hour Riding the down the other side. In highschool, in Driver's Education Class, it was One of the Requirements the instructors had for the students... They had to drive Over the Bridge... I guess their thinking was, if you could drive that Bridge, you could handle driving almost any Roads... Kinda a Confidence Builder... Another fun Fact... When Port Arthur wanted to build the Bridge, there was Concern from the City of Beaumont another Port City that used the Same shipping Channel that the Planned Bridge was to be built and was opposed to the Bridge as it would hurt their Shipping Business. The Compromise to the issue was, The Bridge could be built but, had to be high enough so The largest Ship that was built was able to Pass under the Bridge... Additionally, Janice Joplin from Port Arthur, before she became famous, with some of Her Friends would go to the Bridge late at night, and She would climb out on the Walks under the Bridge and Sing songs into the night. This Video was Great, but Really doesn't do it justice... I've known people that weren't familiar with the Bridge, and when they're on the Road heading to the Bridge as they got closer and closer Have said to Me ... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?... I'M SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OVER THAT THING. Fortunately, for them, I give them the directions to turn around and get to the Other side By Going around and through Beaumont... It takes about an hour out of their way, but they almost always opt for that instead of the alternative 4 minute drive if They could have only if they could brave the Bridge... Needless to say, us Locals get a Kick out of it
I took the newer bridge eastbound today for the first time to get to Orange. Glad I went through Beaumont to get back through Houston. I shoulda paid more attention to Michael Berry when he talked about this bridge. 😂
@@justmeyo4589 I didnt even know it existed until now. I had a dream I was in a car with some family and we started to go up the bridge. As we went up and i looked behind me it looked like i was on a roller coaster lol. I've had that same dream like 2 times. Like what if its the bridge calling us to it. Like thats some weird ass stuff there.
My grandfather worked on that bridge and my grandmother was the very first person to drive over it the day they opened it up. BTW you make me miss being on the road with that turbo in the background :o)
Antonio the one on the left is the veterans memorial bridge, it was built in the early 90s so the rainbow bridge could be used for one way traffic. Rainbow bridge was built in the early 50s I believe.
@@raybass1938 all of the land on the north west side was owned by my great grandfather before selling it all. There used to be nothing at all. Many don't know they were made that tall so that the tallest naval ships we had could go underneath. There used to be a naval base in Orange. Ships still dock there and you can find sailors walking to Wal-Mart like 2-3 miles down the road.
I have crossed that bridge and will never forget it. Fortunately I was not driving and had to curl up in a ball in the back seat so I couldn't see how high we were above the water. It was absolutely terrifying anyway. My Uncle, who was driving, realized I had bunkered down and kept swiveling his head to the back seat to see if I was ok. That made it even worse because I was afraid he would run off the bridge while looking at me in the back seat. I will NEVER go across this bridge again. It has such a steep incline it feels as if gravity might cause the car to slip and fall backward.
I went over it a couple months ago as a shortcut to avoid traffic that was terrible and it was so scary I almost started crying and I wasnt even the one driving it’s definitely scarier in person
This was a right of passage growing up and learning to drive over this bridge. It used to two way traffic. It also sways in high winds. In just glad I was never caught going up or down and had to wait for an accident to be cleared. Happy driving y'all.
Belinda? I think I went over it as a baby or maybe when I was 4 idk I was born in 1987 so I do remember it and I remember when they still had it up next to the new one and then it being gone not too long after that.
I've said before, dozens of times that I've traveled from New Orleans to destinations in south Texas; "I don't remember crossing that scary bridge". I've frozen a couple of times crossing both the Huey P. Long and N.O.'s Crescent City Connection bridges.
I went over the bridges unexpectedly following my google maps. I was feeling weezy and thought I was gonna faint while driving. I’m from Cali. So I was not expecting that
I used to pull my ups doubles up that bridge everyday . It was a two way bridge. Then they built that new one next to it and made it one way. I would touch mirrors with oncoming trucks!
Im from western KY. all the bridges you touch mirrors on. The engineers who design trucks should remember this. A cheap mirror is the BEST MIRROR. Dad whould pull in the pass side mirror. And allways say he was crossing before he'd get there.
Don't tell Jimmy to check it out. He needs to focus on keeping his eyes on the road. LOL I've been over that bridge a few times and have had dreams about it. Always glad to wake up.
This bridge is a LOT like the OLD sunshine skyway bridge in Tampa. I went over that bridge in 1981 when I was 8, and it made a permanent impression upon me. The other bridge in this video across the way there on the left, is a lot like the NEW sunshine skyway bridge, i.e. still scary, but much better. It at least has normal width lanes and shoulders and so forth.
@@tarpontim1715 when we were kids driving over the Skyway (pre 1980) dad would always mess with us. When we got to the top dad would start to slow down an then announce “Ok kids, this is your stop!” Scared the crap out of us every time. Terrified of similar bridges ever since. BTW, Best Dad in the world.
This thing use to be the only bridge here, and was a 2-lane 2-way road with oncoming traffic, AND the lanes were narrower because there was a "sidewalk" as well. My grandma would refuse to drive over it after dark, electing instead to stay with a friend for the night rather than make the trek over it.
Interesting factoid about this bridge. In the 20s and 30s, the US Navy was experimenting with airships and needed seagoing vessels to service these airships while on patrols. The USS Pakota was retrofitted for this purpose in 1924. On it's stern was a mooring mast, as the mast was 125 ft tall, some future Ports Of Call (Pt Authur was one) had to increase the height of the bridge we now call the Rainbow Bridge to allow plenty of clearance for the Pakota to pass underneath. Ironically, the USS Pakota never called on Port Authur, as the Airship program was canceled by the Navy in the mid-30s.
The bridge was supposed to be flat. It was designed that way to cut off the Port of Beaumont. The navy said that the only way a bridge could be built was if every ship then in the fleet could get to Beaumont.
I heard of that. Didn't they also have plans to build some kinda naval ship or aircraft carrier facility on the neches river in that area too, which may also help to explain these 2 bridges & the TX HWY 82/MLK BRIDGE heights?!?!
@@dwjoseph59 indeed, like I noted the sole purpose of this bridge’s massive height was to accommodate the USS Pakota, a ship design to service the than USN's Airship program.
@@cameraman655 cool, thanks for te verification. Those 2 bridges in lake charles, la across the calcasieu river/calcasieu ship channel/lake charles, I-10 & I-210 bypass, are some high suckas too.
@@dwjoseph59 When I was a kid there was a basin with a lot of old warships about 6 or 7 miles West of the Rainbow Bridge. I think a few of them are still there.
i was born and raised practically underneath that bridge and a lot of times we wouldn't have had dinner if we didn't crab that day...back when you didn't need a license to crab! you don't even want to drive on it when there are thunderstorms going on!!!
I live In this area and I refuse to ever drive over it. I always get others to do the driving for me so I can close my eyes. I hate it hate it hate it. I have nightmares of that bridge being unfinished and just driving right off the top and falling.... I HATE THAT BRIDGE. Some have witnessed others jumping from the very top of that bridge. Suicide bridge is what I call it.
@@amberbrantley8954 It looks scary to me. This bridge is steep. I have heard of this bridge before but I didn't know that it was this steep. I'm sure it's really frightening in the snow and rain.
I've had nightmares about driving over scary bridges since I was a kid. Wonder if my parents ever drove over one and it forever tramatised me. In my 20s I went over the rainbow bridge with a friend of mine and had no clue about this bridge. I had a full blown anxiety attack as we were approaching . She was driving. I closed my eyes and screamed the entire time
@@ED80s Definitely agree with you! I have nightmares about bridges like this one.... only the "nightmare" bridge has no sides, and I'm driving with two tires barely hanging on the edge. Horrible!
This day, I had about 14,000 pounds of drummed waist on. It was a light pull. I never had to lug 46,000 over that bridge, but I can imagine it's a hell of a pull.
The video does no justice, I was on greyhound and shifted to first about time we made it to the top and growling imma pass out....just imagine at night steepest Ive ever seen.
worst night of my life was getting screamed at all the way over this bridge all the way to Winnie nonstop every thing came to a halt in my life that night.
I grew up down there in the 70s crossed everyday in the morning when there was fog it was like driving straight up can't see anything was a trip better have good brake
my sister and I were on a cross country trip,,,,we came upon this bridge and I thought no,,,,,,no, we pulled over and got a cup of coffee and found the strength to cross over. It was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. I still have nightmares about bridges. ugh
It was a regular part of my trip. One load was 30,000 pounds of methanol alcohol in drums, and always was at least waist oils on a regular basis. A tad frightening I admit.
I lived in Beaumont, Texas for a year & would often drive to Port Authur, never seen/knew about this, nope would have been scared to drive in that bridge.
I've went over this bridge more than I can count. This is the shortcut to Vinton Louisiana going to the casino. You haven't seen anything yet. Go over the other bridge in Port Arthur on the west side I think going to Pleasure Island.
For people troubled by tall, long bridges, this one would be quite a challenge. At least its not one lane in each direction. It's so steep it looks view from plane taking off.
Trivia- Construction on the bridge began in 1936 under the guidance of the Texas State Highway Department. Due to concerns by the upstream city of Beaumont about the bridge posing a threat to ship navigation, the Rainbow Bridge was built with a 680-foot (210 m) main span. In addition, it has a vertical clearance of 177 ft (54 m), which was intended to allow what was at the time the tallest ship in the U.S. Navy, USS Patoka, passage under the bridge (however, Patoka never did). However, the height of the bridge did allow the construction of jack up offshore drilling rigs at the Bethlehem Steel Beaumont Shipyard. With seventy-two rigs built, the shipyard was one of the major sources of offshore rigs built in the United States. wikipedia
Worked outta Orange for a while. The route they gave required me to cross over that bridge every morning. The initial sight of it was somewhat alarming but by the time I got on the back end I was straight. Very exciting in an 18 wheeler
I've been over that too many times to count. My ex was scared of bridges, and when I told her we were going to cross that bridge (when it had two way traffic) she said she was not going across it. She was informed she had three choices...cross in the car, walk across, or I'd pick her up on the way back...she opted to ride...albeit with her eyes closed. Poor woman!!! (Yeah, right, sure).
The first time I drove this bridge there was a stalled 18 wheeler at the very top. It was a two way bridge at that time. My legs were shaking because I had to stop on the slope until I could go around the truck. Both feet were on the brakes. It was scary as $&+#. But I've driven it many many times since then.
They got a bridge in, Texas close to, Beaumont Tx that's even bigger and scarier than this one!! When, I was a little boy, I went over it and almost started crying!!! 😀😎
I was born and raised in Port Arthur Texas, I remembered as a kid skate boarding down that bridge when it was just a one way , before the memorial bridge was even built .
This is going to sound unreal but I was on a car on the bridge and another car was on there and we most hit each other on the highest part of the bridge that was probably one of the scariest things in my life but we didn't hit and I'm thankful
One thing you never want to do driving across the Rainbow Bridge is try to drive and take pics at the same time. Otherwize you may be over the Rainbow.
In 1996 I had an important delivery to make and I had to cross in a car that had no business even being on the highway. I really did not think I would make it ! Can you imagine having to drive backwards,trying to get down. Needles in California is another heart attack.
On the other side of that bridge where you went up has some good fishing and crabbing and if you posted this in 2018 the fish were really coming through there. Now on a sad note a many of people sadly ended their lives by jumping off that bridge, and some lost their life crossing it when it was only one lane going and coming not paying attention to what they were doing.
I hate that bridge!! In the 80’s as a young teen out visiting family a bunch of us loaded up and went to Bridge City. I am not from that area so I was cool let’s go. Going over that bridge in the back of a pickup truck was scarier than shit!
My dad made me drive over it right after i got my learner's permit. Then he got mad when i got scared near the midway(up) point. My older cousins were getting onto him also. I was going about 30 mph up and riding the brakes going down. I was terrified when we got to the top. Then he jokingly added, imagine if you drive off this thing? My cousins let him have it!!
Watch This *The Brookport Bridge: One of the Scariest Bridges in America*
ruclips.net/video/AHJ0RV7aMV8/видео.html
I really don’t understand why people can’t just shut up. Why say that?!?
@@overcomer1307What do you mean? Like, they're making you nervous?
Good for your cousins for speaking up. Your dad was simply mean!
Before the early 90's, you had the added bonus of two-way traffic to contend with when crossing this bridge.
Exactly right. 2 lanes.
Oh Lord, I remember
That’s when I crossed it back when that rod Stewart song playing was a number one hit. Once during daylight and once at night. I still have nightmares.
I heard someone got decapitated sticking there head out the window in the 70s from 2 way on this bridgr
Wow an old comment from a much-younger me sure is getting some replies today lol
I have anxiety just watching this
You're weird
I cried driving over! It’s worse in person 😣😖
I go over the bridge every day I kinda used to being so high up on the air
Facts and the music DOSENT help
Me too!
I drove over that bridge the 1st day of Driver's Ed.
Started getting tunnel vision.
Whoa!
Watch This *The Brookport Bridge: One of the Scariest Bridges in America*
ruclips.net/video/AHJ0RV7aMV8/видео.html
What DRIVERS ED teacher would take ANYONE up this? I call BULLSHIT
@@kimmoore0427 completely true and not the 1st time I rode over that bridge or the last. Did you ever?
@@rufusromeo I have not! I am sorry you had to experience that at a young age. Unbelievable.
I would bust a u turn so fast if I ever saw a bridge that high. 😬✌
Same here! It’s a no for me
Me too!
Me too i do not wanna side down when my car gets tired and OH MY GOD😂😂
No way would I cross that
You ain't kiddin'!😬😬😬
I live in Groves Texas, 5 minutes just west of the Bridge. Born and raised Here... I'm 58. This Bridge was built in 1936 and replaced the Ferry that had been used until then... Fun Facts: the Bridge Used to be a Two Way Bridge for Decades. The bridge Next to it wasn't built until 1990. YOU think it's scary now, imagine only having one Lane to drive in while cars in the Next lane beside you were coming at you at Highway Speeds. When I was a teenager back in 1980, I had a Girlfriend, that lived on the other side of the Bridge... I didn't have my driver's license yet so I would Ride My Sister's English Racer Bicycle across the Bridge and would get Up to around 50 Miles per hour Riding the down the other side. In highschool, in Driver's Education Class, it was One of the Requirements the instructors had for the students... They had to drive Over the Bridge... I guess their thinking was, if you could drive that Bridge, you could handle driving almost any Roads... Kinda a Confidence Builder... Another fun Fact... When Port Arthur wanted to build the Bridge, there was Concern from the City of Beaumont another Port City that used the Same shipping Channel that the Planned Bridge was to be built and was opposed to the Bridge as it would hurt their Shipping Business. The Compromise to the issue was, The Bridge could be built but, had to be high enough so The largest Ship that was built was able to Pass under the Bridge... Additionally, Janice Joplin from Port Arthur, before she became famous, with some of Her Friends would go to the Bridge late at night, and She would climb out on the Walks under the Bridge and Sing songs into the night. This Video was Great, but Really doesn't do it justice... I've known people that weren't familiar with the Bridge, and when they're on the Road heading to the Bridge as they got closer and closer Have said to Me ... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?... I'M SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OVER THAT THING. Fortunately, for them, I give them the directions to turn around and get to the Other side By Going around and through Beaumont... It takes about an hour out of their way, but they almost always opt for that instead of the alternative 4 minute drive if They could have only if they could brave the Bridge... Needless to say, us Locals get a Kick out of it
I took the newer bridge eastbound today for the first time to get to Orange. Glad I went through Beaumont to get back through Houston. I shoulda paid more attention to Michael Berry when he talked about this bridge. 😂
Bruh tell me why I've had dreams about this bridge but to this day never knew it was real! Im scared 😂 I live in Texas but have never seen it before!
Amethyst Rock I’ve had recurring ?dreams? since passing on that bridge since i was 4. Now I’m 47
Dude. I came here to make this comment. Why are we all having dreams about this bridge?? I'm sweating right now. So weird
@@guidrydale I've never been on this bridge. Is the bridge calling us to it lol
@@justmeyo4589 I didnt even know it existed until now. I had a dream I was in a car with some family and we started to go up the bridge. As we went up and i looked behind me it looked like i was on a roller coaster lol. I've had that same dream like 2 times. Like what if its the bridge calling us to it. Like thats some weird ass stuff there.
Wowsers! Lol Very weird. Was a fun bridge.
I awoke at the top of this bridge in 2006...Thank you Lord!
I’m glad you’re alive
My grandfather worked on that bridge and my grandmother was the very first person to drive over it the day they opened it up. BTW you make me miss being on the road with that turbo in the background :o)
Interesting. Thanks for sharing :).
Antonio the one on the left is the veterans memorial bridge, it was built in the early 90s so the rainbow bridge could be used for one way traffic.
Rainbow bridge was built in the early 50s I believe.
@@raybass1938 all of the land on the north west side was owned by my great grandfather before selling it all. There used to be nothing at all. Many don't know they were made that tall so that the tallest naval ships we had could go underneath. There used to be a naval base in Orange. Ships still dock there and you can find sailors walking to Wal-Mart like 2-3 miles down the road.
Wow! That's quite amazing.
Yea and my mom owned texas
I have crossed that bridge and will never forget it. Fortunately I was not driving and had to curl up in a ball in the back seat so I couldn't see how high we were above the water. It was absolutely terrifying anyway. My Uncle, who was driving, realized I had bunkered down and kept swiveling his head to the back seat to see if I was ok. That made it even worse because I was afraid he would run off the bridge while looking at me in the back seat. I will NEVER go across this bridge again. It has such a steep incline it feels as if gravity might cause the car to slip and fall backward.
I went over it a couple months ago as a shortcut to avoid traffic that was terrible and it was so scary I almost started crying and I wasnt even the one driving it’s definitely scarier in person
That looks like a rollercoaster ride!
This was a right of passage growing up and learning to drive over this bridge. It used to two way traffic. It also sways in high winds. In just glad I was never caught going up or down and had to wait for an accident to be cleared. Happy driving y'all.
Belinda? I think I went over it as a baby or maybe when I was 4 idk I was born in 1987 so I do remember it and I remember when they still had it up next to the new one and then it being gone not too long after that.
It's still there, the new one is from Port Arthur to Bridge City, the old is from Bridge City to Port Arthur.
I remember as s kid going up this bridge but never knew where it was until now. 35 yeari later. Awesome 👍
I've said before, dozens of times that I've traveled from New Orleans to destinations in south Texas; "I don't remember crossing that scary bridge". I've frozen a couple of times crossing both the Huey P. Long and N.O.'s Crescent City Connection bridges.
I went over the bridges unexpectedly following my google maps. I was feeling weezy and thought I was gonna faint while driving. I’m from Cali. So I was not expecting that
Ditto. I'm from Massachusetts and was on my way to Galveston. Once I realized what I was facing there was no way to turn back. Yowza!
Puss boy
@@neverendingweedh1784 Your comment isn't real and neither are you LMAO!
Don't go to Baton Rouge, I guess.
This bridge is sickening, no excuse for it. Alternatively, a much lower draw bridge should've been built. A tunnel would've been the best choice.
I used to pull my ups doubles up that bridge everyday . It was a two way bridge. Then they built that new one next to it and made it one way. I would touch mirrors with oncoming trucks!
Im from western KY. all the bridges you touch mirrors on. The engineers who design trucks should remember this. A cheap mirror is the BEST MIRROR. Dad whould pull in the pass side mirror. And allways say he was crossing before he'd get there.
i wouldnt mind the steepness so much as the lame ass rails on the side of it going up, you could easily just drive off
on god
Yes, the railings on the side are very small. 🤢
Safely many have😢
Thank you for posting that. That was awesome totally awesome. Imma ride that.!just think of those people hanging off the side building it.!!!!!!!!!
Don't tell Jimmy to check it out. He needs to focus on keeping his eyes on the road. LOL
I've been over that bridge a few times and have had dreams about it. Always glad to wake up.
I remember when I was like 7 we went over this bridge and it gave me a fear of bridges for years
This bridge is a LOT like the OLD sunshine skyway bridge in Tampa. I went over that bridge in 1981 when I was 8, and it made a permanent impression upon me. The other bridge in this video across the way there on the left, is a lot like the NEW sunshine skyway bridge, i.e. still scary, but much better. It at least has normal width lanes and shoulders and so forth.
@@tarpontim1715 You're absolutely right. I just saw a few images of it and I can relate to why.
@@tarpontim1715 when we were kids driving over the Skyway (pre 1980) dad would always mess with us. When we got to the top dad would start to slow down an then announce “Ok kids, this is your stop!” Scared the crap out of us every time. Terrified of similar bridges ever since. BTW, Best Dad in the world.
This thing use to be the only bridge here, and was a 2-lane 2-way road with oncoming traffic, AND the lanes were narrower because there was a "sidewalk" as well. My grandma would refuse to drive over it after dark, electing instead to stay with a friend for the night rather than make the trek over it.
Not the place for a car to stop working
Interesting factoid about this bridge. In the 20s and 30s, the US Navy was experimenting with airships and needed seagoing vessels to service these airships while on patrols. The USS Pakota was retrofitted for this purpose in 1924. On it's stern was a mooring mast, as the mast was 125 ft tall, some future Ports Of Call (Pt Authur was one) had to increase the height of the bridge we now call the Rainbow Bridge to allow plenty of clearance for the Pakota to pass underneath. Ironically, the USS Pakota never called on Port Authur, as the Airship program was canceled by the Navy in the mid-30s.
The bridge was supposed to be flat. It was designed that way to cut off the Port of Beaumont. The navy said that the only way a bridge could be built was if every ship then in the fleet could get to Beaumont.
I heard of that. Didn't they also have plans to build some kinda naval ship or aircraft carrier facility on the neches river in that area too, which may also help to explain these 2 bridges & the TX HWY 82/MLK BRIDGE heights?!?!
@@dwjoseph59 indeed, like I noted the sole purpose of this bridge’s massive height was to accommodate the USS Pakota, a ship design to service the than USN's Airship program.
@@cameraman655 cool, thanks for te verification. Those 2 bridges in lake charles, la across the calcasieu river/calcasieu ship channel/lake charles, I-10 & I-210 bypass, are some high suckas too.
@@dwjoseph59 When I was a kid there was a basin with a lot of old warships about 6 or 7 miles West of the Rainbow Bridge. I think a few of them are still there.
i was born and raised practically underneath that bridge and a lot of times we wouldn't have had dinner if we didn't crab that day...back when you didn't need a license to crab! you don't even want to drive on it when there are thunderstorms going on!!!
When I was a kid in the 70’s, they’d shut it down for ice sometimes. Also, folks kept jumping off it, or it seemed like it to me.
I live In this area and I refuse to ever drive over it. I always get others to do the driving for me so I can close my eyes. I hate it hate it hate it. I have nightmares of that bridge being unfinished and just driving right off the top and falling.... I HATE THAT BRIDGE. Some have witnessed others jumping from the very top of that bridge. Suicide bridge is what I call it.
It's not scary at all my guy I've been on it so many times
@@DA11AZ you must not be scared of heights or get claustrophobic when driving in very small lanes... good for you.
@@amberbrantley8954 It looks scary to me. This bridge is steep. I have heard of this bridge before but I didn't know that it was this steep. I'm sure it's really frightening in the snow and rain.
@@amberbrantley8954 imagine doing that with 13000 pounds of piping on a 32ft trailer. Almost had a heart attack
I went by that bridge twice and i will never forget how much i pray that day....
Watch This *The Brookport Bridge: One of the Scariest Bridges in America*
ruclips.net/video/AHJ0RV7aMV8/видео.html
I've had nightmares about driving over scary bridges since I was a kid. Wonder if my parents ever drove over one and it forever tramatised me. In my 20s I went over the rainbow bridge with a friend of mine and had no clue about this bridge. I had a full blown anxiety attack as we were approaching . She was driving. I closed my eyes and screamed the entire time
Me, too!!! Since I was very little. I am 65 now, still have that dream.
@@jaimiesalid3141 so weird right? I'm not afraid of roller coasters but I'll be damned if I drive over a scary bridge
@@ED80s Definitely agree with you! I have nightmares about bridges like this one.... only the "nightmare" bridge has no sides, and I'm driving with two tires barely hanging on the edge. Horrible!
I remember the first time I went on it , as a rookie truck driver in a manual transmission truck , had to change my underwear after it
Omg! No way I couldn't do that ..from top of Australia 👍
I'd never heard of this bridge I didn't know I was coming up to this, I was like oh no when I was a truck driver.
This day, I had about 14,000 pounds of drummed waist on. It was a light pull. I never had to lug 46,000 over that bridge, but I can imagine it's a hell of a pull.
I love the rod stewart song before you got to the bridge I’m shaking in my shoes 👞 and I’m sitting in my living room while watching this video..
This is my home town in the golden triangle orange , beaumont and port arthur texas
That is some crystal clean, refreshing air to breath right there!
Joe that’s the smell of a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs. That’s what my dad used to say!!
@@delilahcaroline3489 Indeed, as long as one stays indoors.
The video does no justice, I was on greyhound and shifted to first about time we made it to the top and growling imma pass out....just imagine at night steepest Ive ever seen.
worst night of my life was getting screamed at all the way over this bridge all the way to Winnie nonstop every thing came to a halt in my life that night.
Wes Texas 😂😂😂😂😂😂
What? Did you have a screaming infant in the car? LOL
Sorry to hear that!
Back in the 70's I had an engine explode at the top of the bridge and luckily coasted all the way down. My boss was not happy...
I grew up down there in the 70s crossed everyday in the morning when there was fog it was like driving straight up can't see anything was a trip better have good brake
my sister and I were on a cross country trip,,,,we came upon this bridge and I thought no,,,,,,no, we pulled over and got a cup of coffee and found the strength to cross over. It was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. I still have nightmares about bridges. ugh
It was a regular part of my trip. One load was 30,000 pounds of methanol alcohol in drums, and always was at least waist oils on a regular basis. A tad frightening I admit.
I lived in Beaumont, Texas for a year & would often drive to Port Authur, never seen/knew about this, nope would have been scared to drive in that bridge.
Jeez!! Did he film this video with a Blackberry or Nokia??
Not even all the benzodiazepines or sedatives in the world can stop me from freaking the F out driving over this bride.
I hate high bridges, hate getting stuck on one; try to avoid when I can.
Puss boy
Great camera, great photography, great sound!
Cap
I've went over this bridge more than I can count. This is the shortcut to Vinton Louisiana going to the casino. You haven't seen anything yet. Go over the other bridge in Port Arthur on the west side I think going to Pleasure Island.
Damn!! What song is that playing??
lol this bridge is so fun at night super windy and nice moonlight
I imagined a nice fast car, bet it would be crazy in something 600hp or so.
@@ParticipationTrofee gone down with a bike lol had the police called
I still remember driving across this bridge pulling a
Fifth wheel! Scared to death!!!
Yep, I used to live in Bridge City and I’m from Mauriceville
The first time I crossed that monster, I had to pull 3 yards of seat cover out of the crack of my butt when I got to the bottom!
😂😂😂
For people troubled by tall, long bridges, this one would be quite a challenge. At least its not one lane in each direction. It's so steep it looks view from plane taking off.
Trivia- Construction on the bridge began in 1936 under the guidance of the Texas State Highway Department. Due to concerns by the upstream city of Beaumont about the bridge posing a threat to ship navigation, the Rainbow Bridge was built with a 680-foot (210 m) main span. In addition, it has a vertical clearance of 177 ft (54 m), which was intended to allow what was at the time the tallest ship in the U.S. Navy, USS Patoka, passage under the bridge (however, Patoka never did). However, the height of the bridge did allow the construction of jack up offshore drilling rigs at the Bethlehem Steel Beaumont Shipyard. With seventy-two rigs built, the shipyard was one of the major sources of offshore rigs built in the United States.
wikipedia
It's amazing you were able to get that heavy girl all the way up that bridge.
Props for that!
Omg my birthday is Nov 23 2008 you made it one day before i was born i have past that brige when we go to the beach!!
Worked outta Orange for a while. The route they gave required me to cross over that bridge every morning. The initial sight of it was somewhat alarming but by the time I got on the back end I was straight. Very exciting in an 18 wheeler
I rode my bicycle across this thing once....ONCE! That was enough.
I seriously salute you and your courage! 😬
What, the kind you pedal? I admire your stamina getting up to the top.
@@Discrimination_is_not_a_right lol I'm not gonna lie, I pushed it up part of the way to the top! Still wasn't easy though...
@@foggy_b2837 I don't know if I could've made it walking.
I've been over that too many times to count. My ex was scared of bridges, and when I told her we were going to cross that bridge (when it had two way traffic) she said she was not going across it. She was informed she had three choices...cross in the car, walk across, or I'd pick her up on the way back...she opted to ride...albeit with her eyes closed. Poor woman!!! (Yeah, right, sure).
I remember going over this bridge when I went to Texas last I closed my eyes but my mom drove
I've been across that bridge...lolol. Respect to themen that change the streetlights.
I remember going on that bridge with my dad when I was a young teen. I was scared out of my mind.
Been on that bridge so many times so beautiful when u can see lake Charles on the other side
The first time I drove this bridge there was a stalled 18 wheeler at the very top. It was a two way bridge at that time. My legs were shaking because I had to stop on the slope until I could go around the truck. Both feet were on the brakes. It was scary as $&+#. But I've driven it many many times since then.
They got a bridge in, Texas close to, Beaumont Tx that's even bigger and scarier than this one!! When, I was a little boy, I went over it and almost started crying!!! 😀😎
I was born and raised in Port Arthur Texas, I remembered as a kid skate boarding down that bridge when it was just a one way , before the memorial bridge was even built .
If you really did skateboard this bridge you are crazy as fk, but it is a shame you aint rich, you should be!
IVE DRIVEN THAT BRIDGE.THE VIEW OF INLAND SHIPS AND SUCH IS AWESOME
Grew up near there, called it the RAINBOW Bridge. Hated it when young. Avoided it when I grew up. Drove it only twice that I remember.
Holy frijoles is right!!!
That bridge was scary no doubt , especially on a school bus to play bridge city.
Go Jackets
Avoid the westbound at all costs
I remember going over that bridge as a child
I've crossed that bridge in a semi, in a storm, it was scary af lol
Just pronounce me Dead if were going to try and drive it. OH Hell No
😂
😂
Me too!
The Chesapeake Bridge has drivers waiting to drive people over 😂
I remember when they built that newer 1, Some good fishing and crabbing there
The people in Port Arthur called it thee Orange Bridge while people
in Orange called it the Port Arthur Bridge.
We always called it the Rainbow Bridge
This is going to sound unreal but I was on a car on the bridge and another car was on there and we most hit each other on the highest part of the bridge that was probably one of the scariest things in my life but we didn't hit and I'm thankful
When I was growing up in the '60s and '70s It was the tallest bridge in the south!
It’s still the steepest.
Trivia- Standing at 230 feet tall, the historic truss bridge is the largest in Texas. For a time, it was the second-highest in all of America
That's what I always thought
Absolutely a gorgeous and dope as fuck driving this bridge. At the top the view is truly breathtaking.
Had to drive over the bridge and back to pass drivers education. The year was 1964 .I have made many trips over that bridge.
One thing you never want to do driving across the Rainbow Bridge is try to drive and take pics at the same time. Otherwize you may be over the Rainbow.
If u live on the gulf.... this is just a bridge to us lol
No way I'm driving on that bridge.
Dude I live in texas and I went on this bridge like twice in my life and I think it’s pretty chill
A cool thing about the rainbow bridge is that my grandpa used his truck to bring supplies to build the bridge
You sir are officially better than me
In 1996 I had an important delivery to make and I had to cross in a car that had no business even being on the highway. I really did not think I would make it ! Can you imagine having to drive backwards,trying to get down. Needles in California is another heart attack.
Hey I want to say I use to live there in Port Arthur Texas
The cable stay bridge right next to it was built for all the traffic and Everett are the rainbow bridge down. But they decided to leave it
On the other side of that bridge where you went up has some good fishing and crabbing and if you posted this in 2018 the fish were really coming through there. Now on a sad note a many of people sadly ended their lives by jumping off that bridge, and some lost their life crossing it when it was only one lane going and coming not paying attention to what they were doing.
What if your brakes are shoddy? How many people have died going over this bridge on a windy day?
I ❤ed the tug.
Maybe this is where the rainbow road truly is...
Its not that bad. Travel across it everyday. Now back in the 80s as a kid it was a two way street.
I went over this bridge boy was i sick
I cross it nearly every week….used to be TALLEST bridge in the South
Try driving a large cargo ship under it, hoping the bridge is high enough to clear the ship’s smoke stack.
Should of had some Janis playing
Music to my ears
After so many years and many great vibrations - still a cool video !
the Dashcam is a nice improvement - do the ride again!
I hate that bridge!! In the 80’s as a young teen out visiting family a bunch of us loaded up and went to Bridge City. I am not from that area so I was cool let’s go. Going over that bridge in the back of a pickup truck was scarier than shit!
It's like being on a roller coaster ride. Weeeee up and down queasiness.
Mae's seafood restaurant on the south side was the absolute best around.
Had to cross that bridge when I move from Arizona to Louisiana and that thing scared the s***