The Viaduc de Millau (French: Viaduc de Millau) is a multi-span viaduct bridge that crosses the Tarn River valley in southern France, in the region of Oxytania. The structure of the viaduct, completed in 2004, reaches 343 metres in height, surpassing even the famous Eiffel Tower. This impressive project was realised by a team led by French engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster and his office Foster and Partners. The structure is regarded as one of the most important engineering achievements of the 21st century.
Need for construction and history of the project
The idea for the bridge was born in the 1980s when traffic jams in the Tarn valley, especially in summer, began to pose a serious problem on the route linking Paris and Spain. The authorities decided to find a solution to improve traffic and relieve the pressure on the town of Millau. After years of analysis and consultation with architects and engineers, it was decided in 1996 to construct a suspension bridge. Construction began in December 2001 and just three years later – on 14 December 2004 – the bridge was officially opened.
Unusual design and technology
The Millau Viaduct is 2460 metres long and consists of eight spans. Its six central spans measure 342 metres each, while the two outermost spans measure 204 metres each. It is supported by seven massive pylons, the highest of which rises to 245 metres, making it the tallest bridge column in the world. Interestingly, the Polish company PAECH Construction Enterprise was responsible for the manufacture and installation of the pillars. The steel roadway deck weighs around 36,000 tonnes and was hoisted onto the pillars using advanced hydraulic technology.
W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Millau viaduct – cost and financing
The bridge cost around €394 million to build. The investment was financed by the private construction company Eiffage, which was granted a concession to charge tolls until 2080 (or earlier if the return on investment is quicker). The toll rate for cars is currently around €8.30 in the low season and €10.40 in the summer.
Environmental and technical challenges
There were many challenges, both technical and ecological, during the project. Critics were concerned that the bridge would negatively affect the landscape of the Tarn Valley, and that excessive tolls would discourage drivers from using the new route. In the end, thanks to innovative solutions, the structure was designed to harmonise best with the surrounding nature. In addition, the bridge is monitored by a sophisticated system of sensors that detect even the slightest deviation in the structure, ensuring its longevity.
Millau Viaduct – records
The Millau Viaduct has set some impressive engineering records, becoming one of the tallest bridges in the world with its pylons reaching as high as 343 metres. It also boasts the highest bridge pillars, the tallest of which, pillar P2, measures 245 metres. In addition, its carriageway, suspended 270 metres above the Tarn Valley, is the highest roadway in Europe.
Significance of the structure
Since its opening, the bridge has become an icon of modern engineering and one of France’s most important tourist attractions. Millions of vehicles pass over it every year and the number of tourists admiring its remarkable structure is constantly growing. It is not only a key piece of road infrastructure, but also a symbol of the power of the human mind and technological progress.
Source: tourisme-aveyron.com, fosterandpartners.com
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