Museum that displays historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, commuter rail, and bridge and tunnel systems.

Das Reduit (von franz. réduit) ist ein verstärkter Verteidigungsbau, der zum Rückzug für die Besatzung diente, falls der vorgelagerte Verteidigungswall vom Feind überwunden wurde. Das Reduit (das Kernwerk) liegt im Inneren eines Verteidigungswalls. Vermehrt zum Einsatz kamen sie bei den detachierten Werken der Neupreußischen/Neudeutschen Befestigungsmanier des 19. Jahrhunderts. Sie gehörten zu den stärksten Festungsanlagen und sollten eine hartnäckige Verteidigung gewährleisten. Die Zitadelle zum Beispiel ist das Reduit beziehungsweise Rückzugswerk innerhalb einer Festung.

A reduit is a fortified structure such as a citadel or a keep into which the defending troops can retreat when the out defences are breached. During and since World War II the term is also used to describe a area within the territory of a state which could be defended when the rest of the country was overrun.

During World War II, a reduit referred to the concept of a heavily defended, "untakeable" region of a country which provided a last hard spot of resistance, and hopefully a base for a counter-attack, should a large part of a country be invaded.

During the Battle of the Netherlands, the last province to resist invasion was Zeeland, which was the only part of the country not to surrender after the bombing of Rotterdam.

In France, when it became clear that the Battle of France could not be won against the Nazis, the idea of a reduit in Brittany was suggested as an alternative to letting the whole mainland France at the hands of the invaders.

History

Switzerland's Réduit strategy during World War II was essentially one of deterrence. The idea was to make clear to the Third Reich that an invasion would have a high cost. Simultaneously, economic concessions were made to Germany in the hope that the overall cost of a German invasion would be perceived as higher than the potential benefits. Despite this, it is clear that Hitler intended to invade eventually and that the Allied landing at Normandy as well as the difficulties faced in invading Russia were pivotal in merely delaying an invasion.

After Switzerland was surrounded by German and Italian forces, General Henri Guisan revealed on 25 July 1940 at the so-called Rütlirapport, a meeting of the Swiss army staff at the founding site of the Swiss confederation, that in case of attack the Swiss would only defend the high Alps including the important transalpine roads and rail links. As a last resort, the army would make these routes useless to the Axis by destroying key bridges and tunnels. This plan meant that the populated lowlands - including the economic centres of the country - would be effectively ceded to the Germans. The gold reserves of the Swiss National Bank in Zürich were moved farther away from the German border, to the Gotthard Pass and to Bern.

Many billions of Swiss Francs have been invested in building the fortifications in the mountains, which are partly still used by the army. The most important buildings of the Réduit were the fortifications of Sargans, St. Maurice (Valais) and the Gotthard region. The caverns of those time were equipped with the needed infrastructure, beside cannons and howitzers they consisted of dormitories, kitchens, field hospitals, rooms for the sick and bakeries; and they provided space enough to accommodate 100 to 600 soldiers for a timespan of up to several months. Because the tensions between the western countries and the USSR cooled down and bunkers became more or less obsolete because of newer weapon systems, a great number of the Réduit buildings were closed. Some of them have been reopened as museums and can be visited.

Ihr findet mich auch auf: Markus Lenhart Blog

Officers gathered at the King Fook Funeral Home on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn to mourn the passing of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer Thomas Choi, who was struck by a motorist while performing his duties at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Oct. 20, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness on Dec. 29, 2014. Officer Choi is the first MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the agency.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

View of gantry crane equalizer / end truck assembly on Staten Island side of span. Photo: Tutor Perini /MTA Bridges and Tunnels. July 2014.

Dutch/ English

Dordrecht ligt op een eiland. Het eiland van Dordrecht. Ooit waren er alleen verbindingen per veerpont. In het begin roeiend, later gemotoriseerd. De meeste verbindingen zijn vervangen door bruggen en tunnels. Slechts twee veren voor voetgangers en één autoveer zijn nog over.

Dordrecht is located on an island. The island of Dordrecht. Once there were only connections by ferry. Initially rowing, later motorized. Most connections are replaced by bridges and tunnels. Only two ferries for pedestrians and one ferry for cars are left.

paulvandevelde.myportfolio.com/

Despite the rain, and even hail, we'd had a wonderful afternoon in Great Yarmouth, but we needed to pick up some things for tea. We made a conscious choice to stop at Asda on the way out to the Acle straight simply because of the views from the car park.

As if to reward us for our wise decision, the rain stopped, the clouds broke slightly to let the sinking sunset through and we were rewarded with a glorious lightshow. Unfortunately only had my mobile phone with me, so had to accept the flare - I hope you do too :-)

Leighton Asia

Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities, HongKong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Hong Kong

[Image courtesy of Leighton Asia]

The Highways Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is building a 50-kilometer bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao. Crossing a series of bridges and tunnels, vehicles will enter/leave Hong Kong through boundary crossing facilities on a 130-hectare reclaimed island. The Leighton-Chun Wo Joint Venture is responsible for construction of the USD 4.6 billion 40,000-square-meter passenger clearance building and associated works.

The team made Bentley's BIM technology the common platform to facilitate communications, and to anticipate and rectify construction problems. Solving clashes before construction saved about 12 percent of the construction budget. The survey team compared 3D design models to point cloud models to avoid discrepancies on-site, then continuously updated the design model to create accurate as-built models, saving 15 percent of the survey budget.

Project Playbook: AECOsim Building Designer, Bentley LumenRT, ContextCapture, Bentley Descartes, MicroStation, Bentley Navigator, OpenRoads, ProjectWise

The Queens Midtown Tunnel flooded during Hurricane Sandy. MTA personnel were able to reopen the tunnel to buses on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to cars on Friday, November 9, and to trucks on Friday, November 16.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels / Mark Valentin

Bridges and Tunnels Chief of Staff, Health Safety speaks to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

Officers gathered at the King Fook Funeral Home on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn to mourn the passing of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer Thomas Choi, who was struck by a motorist while performing his duties at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Oct. 20, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness on Dec. 29, 2014. Officer Choi is the first MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the agency.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

New York City- Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company Joint Task Force Empire Shield (JTF-ES) during recent patrols at Amtrack Train station in New York City. Sergeant Demble and Specialist Postigo assist tourist with directions and patrol the ticketing/waiting areas.

JTF -ES is the state’s standing military organization that plans and prepares for defense support to civil authority missions throughout the New York City area and is jointly staffed with Army and Air National Guard personnel along with members of the New York Naval Militia and New York Guard.

The service members on JTF-ES augment the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police at Penn Station, Grand Central Station in New York City and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports, the New State Police and the Tunnel Bridge and Toll Authority (TBTA) at the various bridges and tunnels in the New York City area.

Joint Task Force Empire Shield is constantly planning to meet security threats in conjunction with New York State and municipal emergency and security managements, providing surge forces much more rapidly for New York City law enforcement and first responders. Division of Military and Naval Affairs Photos by New York Guard Captain Mark Getman

Work being done on the $109 million reconstruction and widening of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge’s Queens approach by contractors E.E. Cruz and Tully Construction Co. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

On Monday, October 22, 2012, the former Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in honor of New York State's 51st Governor.

This photo shows MTA Bridges and Tunnels maintenance and operations personnel surrounding Jim Ferrara, President of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, and Marc Mende, General Manager of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.

The ceremony was attended by New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Governor and MTA Board member David A. Paterson, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, members of the Carey family, and staff of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

New York City- Joint Task Force Empire Shield (JTF-ES) Specialist Jamiek McDowell, 1569th Transportation Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, New York Army National Guard assigned to Delta Company JTF- ES, during a recent patrol at the Queens Midtown Tunnel.

JTF -ES is the state’s standing military organization that plans and prepares for defense support to civil authority missions throughout the New York City area and is jointly staffed with Army and Air National Guard personnel along with members of the New York Naval Militia and New York Guard.

The service members on JTF-ES augment the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police at Penn Station, Grand Central Station in New York City and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports, the New State Police and the Tunnel Bridge and Toll Authority (TBTA) at the various bridges and tunnels in the New York City area. Division of Military and Naval Affairs Photos by New York Guard Captain Mark Getman.

The Queens Midtown Tunnel flooded during Hurricane Sandy. MTA personnel were able to reopen the tunnel to buses on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to cars on Friday, November 9, and to trucks on Friday, November 16.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels / Mark Valentin

At the 2013 Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn, MTA Bridges and Tunnels showcased a number of the trucks and heavy machinery it uses to maintain the MTA's vehicular bridges and tunnels.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, across the Narrows--a tidal strait where the Hudson River empties in the Atlantic Ocean. Named after Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano, who, in 1524, was the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor, it is referred to by locals as just the Verrazano Bridge. When it opened in 1964, its 4,260 center span made it the longest suspension bridge in the world--a distinction it held until 1981.

The last great public works project overseen by Robert Moses, the New York State Parks Commissioner and head of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, it served as one of the final links of the New York City expressway system. It was also the final project by Chief Engineer Othmar Anmann, who also designed the George Washington Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, Whitestone Bridge, Triborough Bridge and Throgs Neck Bridge. Construction began on August 13, 1959 and the upper deck was opened on November 21, 1964 at a cost of over $320 million. New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, which was attended by over 5,000 people. The lower deck opened on June 28, 1969.

The bridge is widely known by non New Yorkers as the starting point of the New York City Marathon. It also serves as the gateway to New York Harbor--all cruise ships and most container ships arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey must pass underneath it.

Title: Bridge and Tunnel at La Jaya [sic], Mexico.

Creator: Kilburn Brothers

Date: 1873

Part Of: Elmer and Diane Powell collection on Mexico and the Mexican Revolution Collection

Place: Veracruz state, Mexico

Physical Description: 1 photographic print on stereo card: stereograph, albumen; 9 x 18 cm

File: ag2014_0005_02_002_01_kilburn_090_bridge_c.jpg

Rights: Please cite DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University when using this file. A high-resolution version of this file may be obtained for a fee. For details see the sites.smu.edu/cul/degolyer/research/permissions/ web page. For other information, contact degolyer@smu.edu.

For more information and to view the image in high resolution, see: digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/pwl/id/369

View the Elmer and Diane Powell Collection on Mexico and the Mexican Revolution

The Queens Midtown Tunnel flooded during Hurricane Sandy. MTA personnel were able to reopen the tunnel to buses on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to cars on Friday, November 9, and to trucks on Friday, November 16.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels / Mark Valentin

Bridges and Tunnels Director of Facility Operations/Special Projects Al Rivera speaks to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, across the Narrows--a tidal strait where the Hudson River empties in the Atlantic Ocean. Named after Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano, who, in 1524, was the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor, it is referred to by locals as just the Verrazano Bridge. When it opened in 1964, its 4,260 center span made it the longest suspension bridge in the world--a distinction it held until 1981.

The last great public works project overseen by Robert Moses, the New York State Parks Commissioner and head of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, it served as one of the final links of the New York City expressway system. It was also the final project by Chief Engineer Othmar Anmann, who also designed the George Washington Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, Whitestone Bridge, Triborough Bridge and Throgs Neck Bridge. Construction began on August 13, 1959 and the upper deck was opened on November 21, 1964 at a cost of over $320 million. New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, which was attended by over 5,000 people. The lower deck opened on June 28, 1969.

The bridge is widely known by non New Yorkers as the starting point of the New York City Marathon. It also serves as the gateway to New York Harbor--all cruise ships and most container ships arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey must pass underneath it.

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers involved in rescuing more than a dozen people from a burning building near the Queens-Midtown Tunnel on July 30 were presented with Heroism Awards by MTA Chairman & CEO Thomas Prendergast during the MTA board meeting on Wed., September 24, 2014.

Sergeant Anthony Powell.

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

While walking at Shenck's Ferry Wildflower Preserve we came across this nervous friend. We had shot many flowers that day. We came across this bridge and tunnel and he was at the entrance to the tunnel behind him. We visited just briefly and I moved on to the tunnel area. We parted as we met, with caution.

View in Black

MTA Bridges and Tunnels and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection work together to assist falcons that reside atop the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Marisa Baldeo.

At the 2013 Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn, MTA Bridges and Tunnels showcased a number of the trucks and heavy machinery it uses to maintain the MTA's vehicular bridges and tunnels.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Phillipston bridge moved successfully into place.

Chief Engineer Frank Tramontozzi, Administrator Luisa Paiewonsky, Deputy Chief Engineer for Bridges and Tunnels Shoukry Elnahal, and Design/Build Manager Christine Mizioch smiling as the SPMTs move the last inch into place.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announces that MTA bridges and tolls will become a cashless toll collection system using E-Zpass or direct billing via mail. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announces that MTA bridges and tolls will become a cashless toll collection system using E-Zpass or direct billing via mail.

Bill Murrow, Secretary to the Governor

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Tom Prendergast, Chairman MTA

Superintendent George Beach, New York State Police

This is the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman Aqueduct on the Gardon River in France.

This monumental structure spanning the Gardon River valley is 275 metres long, 49 metres high, 6 metres wide at the base, 3 metres wide at the top and has a total of fifty three arches. It is only one part of a fifty kilometre aqueduct which supplied Roman Nimes with fresh water. It is estimated to have carried twenty thousand cubic metres per day.

It was built using six-ton stone blocks, coloured a delicate shade of pink, laid dry, and is a technological and aesthetic masterpiece.

Through poor maintenance, the aqueduct gradually became unusable in the 9th Century.

But the many times restored Pont du Gard, still remains its haughty air even after nearly two thousand years.

From a tourist book on La Provence (English version)

Begun around 19 BC, this bridge is part of an aqueduct which transported water from a spring near Uzes to Roman Nimes. An underground channel, bridges and tunnels were engineered to carry the 20 million litre (4.4 million gallon) daily water supply 50 km (31 miles).

The three-tiered structure of the Pont du Gard spans the Gardon valley and was the tallest aqueduct in the Roman empire.

Its huge limestone blocks, some as heavy as 6 tonnes, were erected without mortar. The water channel covered by stone slabs, was in the top tier of the three. Skillfully designed cutwaters ensured that the bridge has resisted many violent floods.

It is not known for certain how long the aqueduct continued in use but it may still have been functioning as late as the 9th century AD.

The adjacent road bridge was erected in the 1700s.

Taken from DK Eyewitness Travel: Provence & The Cote D'Azur

One last look at the bridge, before going up the paths, for higher views.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels is improving the Brooklyn-bound Verrazano-Narrows toll plaza, and reconstructing and widening the entrance and exit ramps near the bridge.

New Narrows Road South Bridge, looking east. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is in the background.

Photo courtesy of STV, Inc.

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

Work being done on the $109 million reconstruction and widening of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge’s Queens approach by contractors E.E. Cruz and Tully Construction Co. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

MTA Bridges and Tunnels celebrates 90th anniversary with presentation and speeches highlighting achievements over the decades.

Mary Hedge, Bridges and Tunnels Administrative Special Archives

Courtesy of MTA / Trent Reeves

Damaged conduit and wire left behind after fixture was swept away by Superstorm Sandy pictured here. Security and marine navigation lights at MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, destroyed by Superstorm Sandy, are functioning once again under a $686,000 project that was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers involved in rescuing more than a dozen people from a burning building near the Queens-Midtown Tunnel on July 30 were presented with Heroism Awards by MTA Chairman & CEO Thomas Prendergast during the MTA board meeting on Wed., September 24, 2014.

Sergeant Kristopher Owens.

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

Left, Bridges and Tunnels Director of Facility Operations/Special Projects Patrick J. Parisi, and Right, Bridges and Tunnels Acting Vice President of Operations Patrick J. Parisi speak to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

Vehicle impounded by MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers on Friday, Oct. 1. The vehicle owner was one of the agency’s top toll violators, owing $58,000 in unpaid tolls and resulting fees.

Photo courtesy MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Security light broken and damaged by Superstorm Sandy is pictured here. Security and marine navigation lights at MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, destroyed by Superstorm Sandy, are functioning once again under a $686,000 project that was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Not all steampunk attire has to be zany or whacky, as can be seen by this chap dressed as an Isambard Kingdom Brunel look-alike.

Brunel b.1806 d.1859, was an English civil engineer who is considered "one of the most ingenious and prolific figures in engineering history", changing the face of the English landscape with his groundbreaking designs and ingenious constructions, revolutionising public transport and modern engineering.

His works included building dockyards, the Great Western Railway, series of steamships and numerous important bridges and tunnels.

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast along with MTA Bridges and Tunnels officials celebrated the anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge 50 years to the day after it opened. The event was held at the Overlook inside the National Park Service's Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

We don't usually leave the hut on these types of amateur nights. Between my ephebiphobia and all the bridge and tunnel rats that overrun the City on any bank holiday, it isn't safe to even joke about going out. But I can be bribed with certain things. One of which is booze. Bonus if it's good- but clearly I'll drink anything (that's the methyphilia talking, I have so many conditions! Nurse! Nurse!). Plus, the company proved irresistible, and further, it was a chance to take the new smoking jacket out for a test drink, er, I mean drive.

The tux shirt is a point collar opposed to the more common, but more formal, wing collar. A brilliant feature is the strip of removable shirt buttons stitched onto a hidden piece of twill tape. That allows me to choose between regular shirt buttons or studs. The robe is a vintage flammable polyester wonder from Sears. I have trouble imagining when they made such objects d'art, but I'd guess sometime in the late '60s. This isn't the Sears I grew up with in the 1970s, which was the more prole Craftsman tools Sears, and not the Daddy Warbuck's-lesser-cousin-who-sold-his-family-shares-and-took-up-with-a-B-list-actress Sears seen here. Once again I forgot a pocket square.

As is fairly well known, smoking jackets were originally employed to preserve a man's finer clothing from reeking of night of ashing on oneself. And in this regard my gilt patterned plastic friend performed keenly. The next morning my shirt revealed almost no hint of cigar(s) from the night before, and instead, held only a delicate bouquet of the eau de champagne that had been seeping from my pores all night. Eras ago smoking caps were similarly used to prevent one's hair from being impregnated with a smoky odor, but since I clearly wear a wig, I just removed it and stuffed it in the one of the oversize patch pockets of the smoking jacket.

Tie: Brooks Brothers

Shirt: Brooks Brothers

Robe: Sears

Trousers: (I've since forgotten, but let's be serious, it seems like I only have Banana Republic & Co. bottoms, so it's safe to guess BR)

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