Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Vasco da Gama Bridge - Longest Bridge in Europe
The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Portugal is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts) and 9th longest in the world. It has a total length of 17.2 km (10.7 miles), including 0.829 km (0.5 miles) for the main bridge, 11.5 km (7.1 miles) in viaducts, and 4.8 km (3.0 mi) in dedicated access roads.It is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts and roads that spans the Tagus River near Lisbon. Its purpose was to alleviate the congestion on Lisbon's other bridge (25 de Abril Bridge) and to join the previously unconnected motorways radiating from the Portuguese capital. The bridge carries six road lanes, with a speed limit of , the same as motorways, except on one section which is limited to . On windy, rainy, and foggy days, the speed limit is reduced to . The number of road lanes will be enlarged to eight when traffic reaches a daily average of 52,000.
