Construction of the World's Highest Bridge

**Eros** · February 23rd, 2007, 04:37 PM

The Millau bridge over the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains is more than 300m (984ft) high - taller even than the Eiffel Tower. With its concrete and steel pillars soaring high above the morning fog in the Tarn Valley, the construction makes a spectacular sight.

Construction began in October 2001 and was intended to take three years, but dragged even longer because of weather conditions. The bridge was built by Eiffage, the same company that built the Eiffel Tower.

A complicated system of hydraulic rams was used to slide the vast bridge deck into place. It was provided by Enerpac Hydraulic Systems - the company which also "lifted" Golden Gate Bridge off its foundation for better cushioning against earthquakes. Here is a diagram of pushing the bridge's deck:

The deck was pushed in two sections from both sides of the valley. Each push cycle lasted 4 minutes and moved the deck section 600mm a time.

From both sides of the valley the metal sections of the bridge are assembled, lifted slightly and then in an elaborate manoeuvre pushed into place on each of the seven supporting pillars. The architect, Norman Foster, said the bridge was designed to have the "delicacy of a butterfly"

Sources and further reading: 1, 2, 3, 4

CrazyPrince · February 23rd, 2007, 04:48 PM

It's often worth reading your informative posts.. keep it up

**tanna** · February 23rd, 2007, 04:58 PM

im speechless

WOW it so coooooooooool

**ReeV** · February 23rd, 2007, 10:39 PM

Ooohhh Maannn ... Dat is HUGEE

... I just got stunned after watchin diz Pic's individually and with lotta tym ... That one is awesome ... Tooooo great ... Aaahhh ... Gosh if I can be there

...

Btw CP ... Its alwayz worth it to read Those Thread's started by Great Eros ...

**Rio** · February 23rd, 2007, 11:02 PM

Bapre ohh i wish i could see that bridge . Eros vi really thank u for this gr8 info. Amar hight phobia ache ami mone hoi uthei laf dibo niche

**Rayan** · February 23rd, 2007, 11:28 PM

Owwww man What the hell is dat????

its awsomee awsomeee

Severus · February 25th, 2007, 01:05 PM

whar i didnt understand was the reason for lifting the bridge at such height ... niche to road construction er jonno perfect environment e ase , bridge bananor ki dorkar

**BoIRaGi** · February 25th, 2007, 10:29 PM

Dats awesome CooL .............. really wonderful

Severus · February 25th, 2007, 10:46 PM

The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, United States has a deck considerably higher, at 321 m above the Arkansas River.

so this would be the second highest bridge

The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Eros For This Useful Post:
BoIRaGi (February 25th, 2007), CrazyPrince (February 23rd, 2007), Little Star (July 31st, 2007), mina (February 26th, 2007), Prova (February 26th, 2007), Rex (February 24th, 2007), tanna (February 23rd, 2007)