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October 30, 2011

Double-Deck Overpass

In the densely built city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton), there was no more room to build roads. So they built up. Countless overpasses snake through the buildings, in some places, like here, double-decked.

Guangzhou, 2011

Traffic in my photo looks bearable, but most times it is bumper-to-bumper, rivaling a frustrating drive in Los Angeles. Car sales started to boom in China in the 1990s and in 2009 it overtook the USA as the largest car market.

That's a very far cry from the days I saw only bicycles on the streets, with the occasional bus or government vehicle.

21 comments:

  1. Louis la VacheOctober 30, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    «Louis» thanks you for this "DOUBLE DECK" contribution to Sunday Bridges.

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  2. genieOctober 30, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    I know this one is fine to drive on, but to look at it I am feeling queasy at my stomach. Can just imagine all of the traffic it can carry during a rush period. How they build these things is a mystery to me...sort of like it is up there just suspended in the air. Wonder how fast they drive on it....fast, I bet...always in a hurry. So interesting. Happy Sunday and Halloween tomorrow. genie

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  3. cieldequimperOctober 30, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Ummmm.... I'm tired all of a sudden....

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  4. VioletSkyOctober 30, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    These elevated highways are only interesting to look at from above. Imagine living right next to it! But, I guess things would be much worse without them.

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  5. Vicki/JakeOctober 30, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Sorry for anyone on them when an earthquake hits....Glad I'm not there. I'd prefer the bicycles.

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  6. Ms. BeckyOctober 30, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    how interesting. so is it one way for each level? that's what I'm thinking. it seems a bit narrow. I love the shot Francisca. you always manage to pry open my eyes a bit wider. happy day to you.

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  7. FranciscaOctober 30, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    @Becky - that might make sense to have one way on each level, but as far as I have experienced, they are two-way and going to different places.

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  8. jooOctober 31, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Looks interesting, well, never seen anything like this before!
    Have a nice week ahead:)

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  9. jabblogOctober 31, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    Civil engineering is so complicated these days. What would Isambard Kingdom Brunel or Monsieur Eiffel have made of it?

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  10. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪October 31, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    It is so steep, I hope my brakes work.

    Can I tell you I used to have this stress dream? I would be driving, and the car won't stop even though I step on the brakes.

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  11. HOctober 31, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Gosh, it really is dense. I hate to think what the air quality is like. That double decker overpass reminds me of an elongated spaghetti junction (in Birmingham - UK, not Massachusetts).

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  12. tapirgalOctober 31, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    Interesting as always and nice composition, but I gotta say, I'm glad I'm here and not in the thick of it in your pic!

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  13. LesleyOctober 31, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    It looks rather like a giant concrete snake.
    Interesting thought that Jabblog has raised - I wonder what Brunel would make of this, indeed!

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  14. UnknownOctober 31, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Hi Francisca

    Quite typical of a booming Asian city. Quite sad there are not so many bicycles.

    ps. Yes, do go to Ireland and go do the bike ride across the Gap of Dunloe. A memorable trip but I have forgotten how long the ride was. The entire trip from the boatride to the bike ride back to town was probably 9 - 4pm.

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  15. LuckaaOctober 31, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    It is interesting bridge and very nice captured!

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  16. forgetmenotOctober 31, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Most every city has joined the "modern world" bringing chaos, frustration, and "hustle and bustle" to a once quiet scene. Nice photo. Mickie ;)

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  17. anitamombanitaNovember 1, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Hi, not sure how you ended up at my blog, but thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment...which...drew me to your blog. I'll be back. I only had a few moments to poke around but loved the photos I saw. AND, although pretty firmly rooted in the mountains of N. Utah for the past year or so, I'm a confirmed globe-trotter who also loves Asia. See ya around!

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  18. LowellNovember 1, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    The latest Time magazine has a couple of articles on China and one of the emphases had to do with the fact that so many Chinese now own cars and that number is expected to grow exponentially in the next few years. Can't imagine.

    Great photo! Reminds me a bit of the Elevated in Chicago although that is for trains. There is a minor double-deck hiway in Austin, Texas. Nothing like this one!

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  19. Gary OronaNovember 1, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    good thing i only go there twice a year! nice post Francisca.

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  20. UnknownNovember 2, 2011 at 12:34 AM

    Great view of a concrete jungle.

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  21. EG CameraGirlNovember 2, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    WHOA! It must be quite chaotic during rush hour!

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