Houston: The Venice of Texas (But With Less Water and More Traffic)
You might know Houston for its booming space industry, its delicious Tex-Mex, or maybe even that time Beyoncé blessed us with a surprise album. But there's another, lesser-known aspect of Houston that deserves some recognition: its absurd number of bridges.
By the Bayou, We Mean Bridges: A Houstonian's Guide to Overpasses
Yes, Houston boasts a staggering 7,200 bridges within its city limits. That's right, folks, more bridges than Venice has canals (don't tell them we said that).
Why so many bridges, you ask? Well, Houston is a sprawling metropolis crisscrossed by waterways, bayous, and highways. Think of it as a never-ending game of freeway leapfrog, where the only way to get around is to, well, go over everything.
Fun fact: Houston has 13% of all the bridges in the entire state of Texas. That's a lot of concrete and steel, folks. Maybe that's why the city motto isn't exactly "Keep Austin Weird" - it's more like "Keep Houston from Sinking (Again)".
Bridge Spotting: A Houstonian Pasttime (or How to Avoid Traffic Jams)
Let's be honest, navigating Houston's labyrinthine network of highways can be a challenge. But hey, at least you'll never be bored! Here are some fun bridge-spotting activities to liven up your commute:
- The "Is that a bridge or an on-ramp?" Challenge: Test your perception with Houston's confusing overpasses. Some are so short, you'll swear they're just glorified bumps in the road.
- The "Houston Bridge Name Bingo": Who knew bridges could have such interesting names? See if you can spot the "Fred Hartman Bridge" or the poetically named "Unnamed Bridge Number 124."
- The "Houston Bridge Counting Game" (Losers Get Toll Duty): This one's a classic. Just try not to lose your mind while counting bridge number 3,452.
Houston: We Don't Just Build 'Em, We Maintain 'Em (Mostly)
Okay, so maybe Houston has a few more bridges than it strictly needs. But hey, at least they're safe, right? Well, for the most part. A recent report actually showed that Houston bridges are some of the safest in Texas. Phew! That's a relief, considering the existential dread that comes with driving over bridge number 5,893, which looks like it's held together with chewing gum and hope.
So, the next time you're stuck in Houston traffic, take a moment to appreciate the intricate network of bridges that keeps this city moving (or at least not completely underwater). Who knows, you might even find yourself enjoying the view (just don't take your eyes off the road for too long).
