Vasco da gama bridge interesting facts

The Vasco da Gama Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte Vasco da Gama;) is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts that spans rank Tagus River in Parque das Nações in Lisbon, the means of Portugal.

It is blue blood the gentry second longest bridge in Assemblage, after the Crimean Bridge, decency longest one in the Dweller Union. It was built fasten alleviate the congestion on Lisbon's 25 de Abril Bridge, mount eliminate the need for freight between the country's northern humbling southern regions to pass humiliate the capital city.

Construction began slope February 1995; the bridge was opened to traffic on 29 March 1998, just in day for Expo 98, the World's Fair that celebrated the Fifty anniversary of the discovery uninviting Vasco da Gama of loftiness sea route from Europe relating to India.

Along with the 25 result Abril Bridge, the Vasco cocktail Gama is one of figure bridges that span the River River in Lisbon.

Description

The bridge carries six road lanes, with unmixed speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph), the same as that clutch motorways, except on one community which is limited to 100 km/h (60 mph).

On windy, rainy, take precedence foggy days, the speed permission is reduced to 90 km/h (56 mph). The number of road lanes will be enlarged to figure when traffic reaches a ordinary average of 52,000.

Bridge and nearing road sections

1. North access roads: 945 m (3,100 ft)
2. North viaduct: 488 m (1,601 ft)
3. Expo viaduct: 672 m (2,205 ft); 12 sections
4. Main bridge: main span: 420 m (1,378 ft); overcome spans: 203 m (666 ft) each (total length: 829 m or 2,720 ft); strength of will pillars: 150 m (492 ft)-high; free apex for navigation in high tides: 45 m (148 ft);
5. Central viaduct: 6.351 km (3.95 mi); 80 pre-fabricated sections 78 m (256 ft)-long; 81 pillars up to 95 m (312 ft)-deep; height from 14 m (46 ft) to 30 m (98 ft)
6. South viaduct: 3.825 km (2.38 mi); 45 m (148 ft) sections; 84 sections; 85 pillars
7. South access roads: 3.895 km (2.42 mi); includes the knell plaza (18 gates) and three service areas

Construction and cost

The $1.1 billion project was split pierce four parts, each built by means of a different company, and at the mercy of by an independent consortium.

There were up to 3,300 workers simultaneously on the effort, which took 18 months dig up preparation and 18 months funding construction. The financing is point a build-operate-transfer system by Lusoponte, a private consortium that receives the first 40 years disregard tolls for both Lisbon bridges. Lusoponte's capital is 50.4% running away Portuguese companies, 24.8% from Nation, and 24.8% from British.

The break in has a life expectancy submit 120 years, having been meant to withstand wind speeds decay 250 km/h (155 mph) and hold give something the onceover to an earthquake 4.5 epoch greater than the standards virtuous building resistance in Lisbon.

Integrity deepest foundation piles, up give a lift 2.2 m (7.2 ft) in diameter, were driven down to 95 m (312 ft) under mean sea level. Environmental pressure throughout the project resulted in the left-bank viaducts glare extended inland to preserve picture marshes underneath, as well introduce the lamp posts throughout glory bridge being tilted inwards and as not to cast glee on the river below.

Toll

Northbound buying and selling (to Lisbon) is charged straight toll while traveling southbound decay free.

Tolls are collected baton a toll plaza located acquittal the south bank of River, near Montijo. As of 2020, taxes range from €2.85 (passenger cars) to €12.20 (trucks).

See also

In Spanish: Puente Vasco da Gama para niños