I suspect my phobia of bridges "narrowing" as one crosses them perhaps comes from that usually I'm approaching them at high speeds (the highway speed limit); otherwise, I've never had any bad experiences with bridges, nor have noticed any in decreptitude.
During the massive floods here about seven or eight years ago (I forget which year), I actually drove across a bridge that was totally under water. This is NOT recommended, never, ever, not at all.
But I didn't have any choice; there was water behind me too, building up. The bridge, about a third of a mile long, led to higher ground.
Unbeknownst to me, the neighbor and a deputy sheriff were standing on the opposite bank, in this torrential downpour. All they could see was my headlights, and they were practically on their knees praying that I'd make it, because the current, it needs not be said, was powerfully strong.
There was a panic-stricken collie dog in the back seat, all bent out of shape and excreting from its bowels.
I crossed it at 10-15 mph, deathly afraid the water would kill the motor, sweeping me down the river to Omaha. I don't think I breathed the entire time.
Obviously I made it, and the bridge held. I credit it to that Nebraska isn't a corrupt blue machine state, where contractors, buddies of politicos, fudge on construction specifications. We're all aware of course of all these things that fall down in blue states because some bosses had to be paid off, and that was done by scrimping on construction.
