INTRODUCTION Bridges were early mens wise invention, built merely out of need and desperation as a means of passage

across impossible obstacles such as deep rivers, ravines and others. A very long time ago, people from as early as the Stone Age find passing rivers and chasms a big problem. Obviously, these primitives could just swim their way across or walk for days to reach their destinations but they believed that there must be another way to avoid wasting a huge amount of energy and time. Luckily, these primitives proved to us the difference between humankind and animals. They solved the problem simply by splaying a wooden log across a river. Very simple. But that was only the beginning. As the humankind began to evolve, they learned to trade and invent simple vehicles aided by animals which they then brought around places. Thus, they required bigger and stronger structure to act as a bridge. The Romans awed us more during the 1st 2nd A.D. with their impressive architectural achievement known as the aqueduct. It did not act only as a bridge but also as an important water supply system which made a huge contribution during the Roman Empire. This led to more modifications in the construction of bridge. An amazing example includes the Tagus Bridge in Alcntara, Spain, built for Trajan in 150 A.D. and made of uncemented granite. Another remarkable surviving example that still lives to tell the tale today is the Sant Angelo Bridge in Rome which was built in 134 A.D. for Hadrian, the Roman Emperor (117

138 A.D.). The reasons the Roman was capable of building these bridges was said to be their knowledge in cement and concrete perfection as well as the invention of cofferdam. As time went on and with the advent of developed construction materials along with established machines, bridges continued to be modified and its function expanded. From providing passage, bridges began to accommodate houses in the 12th 16th century which was still remembered in history as the greatest contribution during the Middle Ages. The most renowned inhabited bridge which had stood stiff through high rise or fall of tides was the famous London Bridge (built between 1176 1209) also known as the earliest stone bridge erected in a tidal waterway. The Old London Bridge lasted for six centuries before being finally replaced in 1823. On the other hand, the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval inhabited bridge (built in 1345) still survives today in Florence carrying many historical significances. Credit goes to the Romans for the building of these bridges as they were constructed based on the same concept and techniques pioneered by the Romans where cofferdams played an important role in the construction process. Later on in 1779, the first iron bridge was introduced to the world. Crossing the River Severn in Shropshire, England, this 100 feet single-spanned arch bridge was constructed for Abraham Darby III (grandson of the first foundry owner and an ironmaster). The Iron Bridge was made out of once a very expensive

material cast iron and still stood proudly to this day. Today, the latest bridge built has undergone an epic transformation into a global icon. On September 2, 2013, the new San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge is finally opened for road users. Complete with pedestrians and bikers path and panoramic views, this suspension bridge has already set two new world records; the widest bridge and the longest self-anchored suspension span bridge by the Guiness World Records. Hence, it is an undeniable fact that this is a promising paradigm for better bridges as of later. As more constructional advances are discovered, we continue to hope that more sophisticated and stronger bridges are built in the more urbanised future.