Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge located in Southern France. The bridge goes over the Millau valley and the river Tarn.
Millau Viaduct designed by architect Norman Foster. He has signed several other famous buildings, including the Millennium Bridge in London.
Millau bridge is 2460 meters long and the main span is 342 meters. It has 7 pillars and the bridge is 343 meters at its highest. It is 19 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
The bridge has become a tourist attraction, and the city of Millau is has increased its tourism.
Construction of the bridge
Before the bridge was built, went way through town down the valley. This created much through traffic and was one of the reasons why the bridge was built. The bridge is part of the A75 motorway and fastest connection between Paris and the Mediterranean.
Construction of the bridge started in 2001 and it opened in late 2004.
At its peak there were 500 people at work during construction. It was established a cement factory. There were 9 building sites; one for each pillar and where the bridge began and ended. The 7 pillars of concrete was built first. They built 4 meters a day, and it was used slipforming. When the 7 pillars was finished, it was set up temporary piers between the 7 pillars, so that it would go to slide out deck from both sides. When the two deck met in the middle, were the towers mounted atop the pillars and then the wires attached. It was set up railings that were as high as a truck. This meant that the wind went over the bridge.
Right before driving over the bridge, there is an exit to a nice lookout point where one can see the bridge. Under the bridge, it built a museum for the bridge.
