This is just one of those stories that make you smile, before you get serious only to smile again. You don’t really know if it’s funny, serious, or both. Have you ever heard about gephyrophobia? Neither had I, until today, when I learned that it is the medically attested fear of bridges. Apparently it is very real, and it is not a naturally occurring mental disorder, but is actually always caused by a traumatic event involving a bridge (or tunnel, because apparently the subconscious links/associates them).
Now, as with any human weakness of the psyche, there is money to be made from by those who are mentally stronger, especially in areas where scary bridges and tunnels are more frequent, or there’s one big one which puts the fright in all drivers.
Take for example the massive Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is regarded as the ninth scariest bridge in the world, according to a lengthy (and interesting) piece by Travel and Leisure. For the last five years, a service has been set up to… aid people in their crossing of the bridge in exchange for 25 dollars. Parting with this cash will give you a man, who will drive your own vehicle to the other side.
It is a legit business called Kent Island Express, and it’s run by 27 year-old Alex Robinson, who stepped in to take control from his mother and stepfather last year. He explains that there is an entire science to doing this work right, and he only hires upbeat drivers, who will boost the faltering morale of gephyrophobiacs using their service.
They apparently don’t even mention the bridge during the 10-to-15-minute crossing, so as to calm their grateful customers as they pass as high as 186 feet (57 meters) above the usually choppy waters.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Daily Mail and NY Times
Photo Credits: Maryland Transportation Authority
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