science · 14 December 2004 · 20 years ago
In 2004, the Viaduc de Millau (Millau Viaduct) was opened, bridging the River Tarn in Southern France. The Millau Viaduct, designed by Sir Norman Foster, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. Taller than the Eiffel Tower, the tallest pylon is 340m high, making it the world's highest road bridge. The roadway carries the A75 motorway from Clermont-Ferraud south to Beziers, crosses 2.5-km and rises 270m above the valley. Before the bridge, the motor route through the town of Millau suffered continual traffic jams, but the bridge shortened the journey by 100 km and saved 4 hours of driving time. Construction began 10 Oct 2001. It has a steel deck, rather than concrete roadbed.
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