Ep 2. Engineering America

Project Impossible is a documentary television series that highlights infrastructure projects around the world. Season 1 episode 2, titled "Engineering America," takes viewers across the United States to showcase some of the most innovative and challenging projects that engineering has produced.

The episode starts with the Hoover Dam Bypass in Arizona. The dam is considered a national treasure, but it is also the site of one of the most dangerous highways in the country, where over 120 crashes occurred in just one year. The bypass was constructed to alleviate this danger while preserving the natural beauty of the area. The bridge spans over 1,900 feet and was built 900 feet above the Colorado River. The project required a unique design to handle the harsh desert conditions and seismic activity of the region.

Next, the show takes us to New York City to explore the construction of the Second Avenue Subway. It took over 100 years to complete the subway's extension, which runs through the heart of Manhattan's Upper East Side. The project was incredibly challenging, with a dense and complex urban environment, fragile historic buildings, and high groundwater levels that threatened to flood the construction site. The team had to use innovative techniques to build the tunnels and station while preserving the unique character of the surrounding area.

The episode then moves to Washington State to examine the North Cascades Highway. The highway was closed for over eight months in the winter due to heavy snowfall, cutting off access to entire towns. The construction of the highway was a marvel of engineering, with a 37-mile stretch that took over 10 years to complete. The project required creative techniques, including using helicopters to transport building materials to remote locations.

From there, Project Impossible takes us to Boston, where we explore the Green Line Extension project. The extension will give a significant boost to public transportation in the metro area by adding seven new stations on the light rail system. The challenge of this project was to complete the extension while minimizing disruption to existing traffic and transit services. The team used innovative planning and construction techniques, such as building stations off-site and sliding them into place, to minimize the impact on the surrounding areas.

Finally, the episode concludes by traveling to San Francisco to look at the Golden Gate Bridge retrofitting. The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic structure that is treasured by San Francisco residents and visitors alike. The retrofitting project was undertaken to strengthen the bridge against potential seismic events, with the goal of extending the bridge's lifespan by another 150 years. The retrofitting effort involved the construction of a massive engineering project that involved retrofitting and strengthening the entire bridge's structure.

Overall, "Engineering America" is a fascinating episode of Project Impossible that highlights the incredible work of engineers and construction teams across the United States. The episode takes us from the searing heat of the desert to the frozen mountains of Washington State, demonstrating how creative and innovative planning, design, and construction techniques can overcome significant challenges. Ultimately, "Engineering America" is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit.