<< The Tallest Bridge in the World : Millau Viaduct, France >>

[Cyril]

Millau Viaduct, France (under construction)

Designed by : Sir Norman Foster & Partners
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/internetsite/images/project_media/0778/0778_01.jpg

Bridges are often considered to belong to the engineer's realm rather than the architect's. But the architecture of infrastructure has a powerful impact on the environment. The Millau Viaduct, designed in collaboration with engineers, illustrates how the architect can play an integral role in bridge design.

http://www.meridienne.com/viaduc/images/viwe1.jpg

Located in southern France, the bridge will connect the motorway from Paris to Barcelona at the point where it is interrupted by the River Tarn, which runs through a wide gorge between two plateaux. A reading of the topography suggested two possible approaches: to cross the river, the geological generator of the landscape; or there was the challenge of spanning the 2.5 kilometres from one plateau to the other in the most economical manner.

http://caiffa.free.fr/images/viaduc0s.jpg

The structural solution follows from the latter philosophical standpoint. The bridge has the optimum span between cable-stayed columns. It is delicate, transparent, and uses the minimum
material, which makes it less costly to construct. Each of its sections spans 350 metres and its columns range in height from 75 metres to 345 metres - higher than the Eiffel Tower - with the masts rising a further 90 metres above the road deck. To accommodate the expansion and contraction of the concrete deck, each column splits into two thinner, more flexible columns below the roadway, forming an A-frame above deck level. This structure creates a dramatic silhouette - and crucially it makes the minimum intervention in the landscape.

Millau Viaduct Website (http://www.viaducdemillau.com/index.php?newlang=eng)

> other website (http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com)

Appointment Date: 1993

Construction Date: 2002

Completion Date: 2005

Statistics: Length: 2.5 km

Height: 280 m

Client: Department of Transport and Public Works of France

Consultants:
Chapelet-Defol-Mousseigne
Ove Arup and Partners

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album04/c0_020919_2.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album04/cm_c8_021113_4.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album04/p2_020930_3.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album04/p2_021106_5.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album04/p7_021202_2.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album04/vg_021004.sized.jpg

[Manuel]

Huge project.

Here is the location of this new mega structure :

http://www.valac.nl/millau.gif

[TB]

wow what an amazing structure!, almost looks surreal when you contrast the bridge with the size of the valley.

[Cyril]

Driving on the Bridge on the 10th of january 2005...

http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/ressources/2853/ouvrage_fini.avi

[Phil]

Great Stuff, pity it doesn't get a lot of replies :)

[jockademus]

Heres a reply.

I am totally shocked that the French have let this happen to that beautiful countryside. Several large concrete posts that dominate the surrounding area is ugly. Yes the design construction is truly something else, but not in a beautiful area, cuty yes.

[Cyril]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by jockademus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Heres a reply.

I am totally shocked that the French have let this happen to that beautiful countryside. .</td></tr>
</table>

On the whole, the French do not like skyscrapers in their cities but can surprisingly accept bridges in the countryside...Ah the French ! :D

[Manuel]

:lol:

That's true. The viaduc hasn't been objected that much down here in the south of France. The locals strongly believe it will bring more tourists in the area and help regenerate the area

[Cyril]

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Manuel </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>:lol:

The locals strongly believe it will bring more tourists in the area and help regenerate the area</td></tr>
</table>
My foot! ;)

[rj2uman]

I think that it looks great! And less of a footprint on the land.

[Jasiu]

damn thas ugly as hell, it truly does spoil the landscape, y the hell do they need a bridge that size over those small rolling hills. Just a waste of money, a simple road could do.

[mlm]

I totally agree, that is one ugly bridge! What a shame to spoil such a nice landscape with this monster:ohno:

[TipNTop]

The millau's landscape has no interest. The hill are'nt so small... but the column of the bridge are very high: 345m. And the valley is very large.

Most of the time, a bridge is build to cross a river or a valley. So there are a lots of bridges in the world which change a valley or river's landscape....


There are two good reasons to build this bridge:

- Complete this highway. The only one part which is not build is this 2.8km section. The traffic jam in the little town "Millau" is terrible.
- Show to everybody that the french engineers and compagnies are at the top of the technology to build the greatest structures of the world. That's why they built the "vasco de gama" bridge (portugal) or the confederation bridge (north america) for example. (after the great "Normandie" bridge) ;)

[Leienaar]

Wow, that's one giant of a bridge! But I think it is really a great relief for the congestion in the south part of France, especially during the holiday season. Less traffic has to go through Lyon (always a traffic hellhole).

The bridge isn't that ugly. There are many many more bridges crossing valleys and rivers all over the world that are uglier than this one. But I do hope they will paint it and not leave it concrete-gray. Bright white or light-blue or something will be nicer and the thing will less detonate with the surroundings.

[Mekky]

It's really fabulous you know, every summer, Lyon have a lot of traffics, most of people on motorway come from the north of Europe and want to go on mediterranean coasts in France or Spain, with this brigde, people who want to go in Spain will take "Paris-Barcelona" motorway, and the others will take "Paris-Lyon-Marseille" motorway...

[Mekky]

Millau and the bridge :

http://www.asco-travaux-publics.org/images/01145_viaduc_millau_dde48_grand.jpg

The bridge compared with the Eiffel Tower :

http://www2.ac-lyon.fr/etab/lycees/lyc-42/fourneyron/anciens/genie_civil/vue_pont_millau.jpg

http://www.bridtwinning.supanet.com/Bridge.jpg

[Dennis]

omg 280m !

good news for bungee jump fans!

[supercees]

That is a big one. Maybe it spoils the landscape a bit... but I like the design.. it's amazingly huge!

[scorpion]

i like -- can Foster do it all??!?!?

:angel1:

[Dydd]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by mlm </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I totally agree, that is one ugly bridge! What a shame to spoil such a nice landscape with this monster:ohno:</td></tr>
</table>
i'm ok with you, :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: Sir Norman is not Architect Landscaper

[Cyril]

This bridge is thin, sleek and slender as can be ! The design could have been way worse! Norman Foster is not famous for his fat design, all his work is a masterpiece.

[Noonos]

thats a cool bridge!

[TipNTop]

Here's a small anime to see the construction :) :

http://fr.mcgi.yahoo.com/afpflash/millaufr2602/index.html

[Noonos]

is it ok if i can use some of these pictures for my assignment on the town of millau?

[brunob]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Dydd </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by mlm </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I totally agree, that is one ugly bridge! What a shame to spoil such a nice landscape with this monster:ohno:</td></tr>
</table>
i'm ok with you, :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: Sir Norman is not Architect Landscaper</td></tr>
</table>

what is it with the design of the bridge that is so unplesant in your eyes? Foster has not always designed buildings only you know.

[Mekky]

http://photos.leuropevueduciel.com/grand/N00/g_N001629.jpg

[Tubeman]

Why does the bridge need to be so high? It seems to maintain the same height as the plateaux on either side. Wouldn't it be less obtrusive if the highway "dipped" down into the valley? I'm not talking steep gradients here, but it just seems like it has almost purposefully been made into the tallest bridge in the world for the sake of it, when a design with much less impact on the environment could have been built.

If it were a railway viaduct, I would be able to understand the lack of steep gradients, but for a road bridge?!? Weird!

I like the design though :)

[TipNTop]

Here the explanation: The 3 other possible layouts impose is enormous unimaginable excavations in this environment. Or very strong slopes, a limitation speed (80-90km/h), and a saving of too weak time compared to the old road so that the "declaration of public utility" is accepted.
For this reason the choice of the giant viaduct was finally made. Whereas it was in the beginning described "unrealizable" (too expensive).

[3tmk]

I think it would look nice if illuminated, like for christmas as a giant Xmas tree or for the new years eve like the eiffel tower.
Do you think they would count it as part of a "skyline"??? :D

[david chanrion]

of course this bridge will shorten the routes and we the hurry vacationers & commuters will be able to win half an hour (?), our brochure will brag about how long it takes for somebody of Paris, London tec to arrive on duty, that is well ladies & gentlemen, but how do you assess the beaty of the landscape, the natural beauty alon,g the trip.
Such a pity to sacriice such a landscape for a few minutes won.

[david chanrion]

of course this bridge will shorten the routes and we the hurry vacationers & commuters will be able to win half an hour (?), our brochure will brag about how long it takes for somebody of Paris, London tec to arrive on duty, that is well ladies & gentlemen, but how do you assess the beaty of the landscape, the natural beauty alon,g the trip.
Such a pity to sacriice such a landscape for a few minutes won.

[diddle e. squat]

I can understand the argument for wanting to limit excavation, but let's be honest, a lot of the reason for this bridge is simply for show. Hence they should have gone all the way and made each pier/tower a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Much easier and constant way to prove their point.

[TYW]

cool bridge, but i think the design is too boring

[Cyril]

http://thorvin.free.fr/photos/visite/Millau/1.jpg

[HKT]

Wow :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

[airsickpenthousedweller]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Cyril </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>

[......] or there was the challenge of spanning the 2.5 kilometres from one plateau to the other in the most economical manner.

The structural solution follows from the latter philosophical standpoint. The bridge has the optimum span between cable-stayed columns. It is delicate, transparent, and uses the minimum
material, which makes it less costly to construct. [.....]
</td></tr>
</table>

I'd prefer it to be less delicate in size and more obvious in shape......having the expression of :

'yet another south-France valley spanning motorway bridge but -now that you look at it- this one's a bit larger'

would be better than the expression:

'a distinctive construction and design, and -now that you look at it- it's transparent also'

So, in fact I doubt the need for Norman Foster on this project.

[Cyril]

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/vm3.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/vm2.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/vm1.jpg

[apan]

so beautiful...

[Azazel]

couldn't they make a tunnel instead?

[Marcellus Bastardus]

:eek2:

This is very impressive! That must be a splendid view when crossing it. That 'll probably cause traffic jams on the bridge from tourists taking pics of the view :D

[ERIC]

Recent pictures of the Millau Viaduct construction in southern France.

The highest pillar has already reached 210 m and will be 345 m when completed




http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album02/DSCN1062.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album02/DSCN1057.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album31/p2_030515_1.sized.jpg

[ERIC]

Another recent picture

http://www.millau-clic.com/photos/viaduc/190603/03.jpg

[Manuel]

keep us posted !!! you're well informed :)

[Cyril]

So pillar P2 is as tall as Montparnasse tower in Paris for instance...210 m ...and rising :)
http://www.arnona.co.il/magazine/vol-16/sky/TourMontparnasse.jpg

[Cyril]

http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/ressources/5705/71900019.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/photos/viaduc/190603/05.JPG

[tonio92]

here is a video of the Millau Bridge i found on BBC's website ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe)
Updated one week ago

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39521000/rm/_39521805_bridge14_brockman_vi.ram

You can also check this article on BBC's website ( Nov 4, 2003 ) :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3237329.stm

[Trances]

Looks great Saw it on the Discovery Channel
Sleak and Low Impact !

[MysticDreamer]

Must be soooo freaky to cross it!!!

It's an awesome 'bridge' although I'm not entirely sure just to what extent such a colosal structure was necessary...

Awesome nontheless!! :D

[Javier]

Wow, that's huge :eek:....

[Primo]

:eek2: amazing, Is damn big

[Cyril]

Architect Norman Foster near the tallest pillar:

http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/ressources/5854/foster_et_pylone.jpg

[Monkey]

This is a really impressive structure in the best Grands Projets tradition! :)

[Cyril]

Sure :)

Here is a series of very fresh pictures:

http://www.structurae.de/photos/millau/image21.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/millau/image22.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/millau/image19.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/millau/image20.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/1/581063/fh000003.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/1/581063/fh000011.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/1/581063/fh000020.jpg

T1 pillar (221 m) in the foreground and T2 pillar (245 m) in the background:

http://www.structurae.de/photos/1/581063/fh000012.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/64/millau07.jpg

http://www.structurae.de/photos/64/millau12.jpg

[peterthegreat]

I don't know why but I really like it :D

[Cyril]

http://www.sudouest.com/091203/images/091203/l/QDER2001.jpg

[ERIC]

Fireworks on December 9th to celebrate the completion of the concrete pillars. The 2 highest ones are 245 m and 221 m. Now they are adding the metallic structures on them (98 m more).


http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album37/02_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album37/03_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album37/04_G.sized.jpg

[Kaneda]

WOW. Those fireworks looks awsome !!

[Vertigo]

Very impressive!

[redstone]

Wow ,are these clouds?
http://www.structurae.de/photos/millau/image21.jpg

[brunob]

no, most likely mist or fog engulfing the valley.

[Peter]

I have to admit that it is an incredible Bridge! Very tall! But I think you don't know that in the Bridge(gefyra in greek) of RION-ANTIRRION the tallest pillar is 227 m and shortest 215m but unfortunately 65m of them are in the Water...

I also admit that the construction way of this bridge is much easier than the Rion antirrion Bridge and that beacause of the fact that R-Ant. Bridge was first built in the dryland and transferred in it's final Position.. It is the most difficult bridge ever built..

I think you should know that the plans has been created by French Architechts but the construction is being made by greek constructors and that because in constructions greeks are one of the best in the world!

At first the plans of the greek architechts were good but there wasn't any eartquake's protection and there were only two pillars with a height of 550m each one,fact which is impossible to built because of Economical reasons and difficult construction methods...

Could anybody here inform when did Millau Viaduct bridge start getting built and when will finish?

Thank you in advance!

[tonio92]

Concerning the Millau Bridge, construction starts in 2001 and should be finished in the end 2004. It should open on January 2005.

What is unique with millau bridge is, for the first time in modern history, an architect has been used, in order to improve the shape and integrate the bridge into the landscape.

Your process concerning architect/constructor is to simple and do not reflect the reality (at least for Rion bridge).

I will talk about some companies involve in the Rion Bridge to explain the process :

First, there is the company which will hold the concession. This company specify the requierement and will, when the bridge open, try to make profit with. This company is Gefyra ( hold by 53 % by Vinci, J&P Hellas (11,2%), Helleniki Technodomiki (7,74%... )

Then civil engineering companies design the bridge, which means specify everything. I think that is what you have called "architect". The company has to choose, what kind of material to use, what constraints, what is the lenght, the size, the weight of each parts....It also decide of the shape, because it depends of the civil constraints and specifications...
The design company is "Vinci Grand projet" and was working with several specialised companies as Domi (structural engineering).
DSTB (dynamic analysis)...

when the bridge is design, every is given to a constructor, which has only to built the bridge, using contruction plan. That is the company we see working but it only follows the instructions, like if you built Ikea furnitures..In the case of the bidge we are talking about, it is "Kinopraxia Gefyra" hold mostly by Vinci (same as Gefyra) ...

I just say that because lots of people are confused in the process involved in the construction of a such project. This was a good example.

By the way, I think Rion bridge is also a great project and quite difficult to built. More than Millau bridge... and also Vinci is one leading French group in civil contruction&engineering ;)

More : http://www.structurae.de/en/structures/data/str01110.php

[tonio92]

As a former engineer working in a civil contruction company, I would say that I'm much more impressed by the Rion bridge than millau bridge. ;) And also the cost is not the same : Millau (300 millions €), Rion bridge ( 750 million €). Rion is a nice piece of engineering ...

[robinTS]

i do also think that this monster of bridge is really ugly... what a shame. i would never drive on it!!!!!!!! NEVER!!!

[Peter]

Well Tonio My friend we agree in the most things about the two bridges..
You say you are an ex civil enginner.. I am only 17!
Today as I was going to Patras I saw from the highway the Bridge and you have to know that it is like a monster! It is like a giant standing over the sea!
This bridge is a dream of a century.. The First man determined on building that Bridge Was Harilaos(Haris) Trikoupis.. Prime minister of greece during 1888-1896
For the millau Viaduct I don't understand the reason of it's construction.. I can see that under the bridge is dry land.. I think its a waste of money.. Am I right,aren`t I?

[tonio92]

Millau brdige will be very usefull because it's the missing part of a motorway, which is used a lot during the summer. This motorway is one which connect Paris with the Mediterranean see and Spain. And also, this motorway is free, so lots of people are likely to use it.
This bridge goes under the river called "Tarn" and at this point, the landscape looks like a canyon. I mean, in both side of the valley, the slopes are very steepy. So I think this bridge is necessary...

[TipNTop]

Originally posted by robinTS

i do also think that this monster of bridge is really ugly... what a shame. i would never drive on it!!!!!!!! NEVER!!!

No problem to drive here; theres's a "semi transparent" wall on each side of the road. : You can't see the bottom of the valley when you're driving, and theres's no wind.
Moreover, the bridge follows a large curve to quickly see the course before entering there.
http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/ressources/4473/infographie_viaduc.jpg

[Style™]

That is one huge bridge! :eek:

[Julien]

Originally posted by TYW

cool bridge, but i think the design is too boring

Ah but certainly better that the grotesque Penang bridge :D

NB: No offense intended, I love Penang, but not for its bridge !

[Cyril]

http://www.techniquesarchitecture.com/images/toute_actu/112869_1_500.jpg

A very fresh pic of the bridge.

[elsonic]

maybe I missed something in this thread, but why is this bridge called a "viaduct" ?

[Vertigo]

Huge. Awesome. :eek:

[hngcm]

Viaduct- A series of spans or arches used to carry a road or railroad over a wide valley or over other roads or railroads.

[Cyril]

The bridge is due to open on December 20th 2004, project officials announced today.

[hoogbouw010]

Very impressive! But after a few suicides, illegal skydiving and bungy jumps there will probably be an ugly fence along the sides of this bridge.

[mike102]

Originally posted by Cyril

http://www.techniquesarchitecture.com/images/toute_actu/112869_1_500.jpg

A very fresh pic of the bridge.

looks like a giant non-sense...

[Cyril]

Originally posted by hoogbouw010

Very impressive! But after a few suicides, illegal skydiving and bungy jumps there will probably be an ugly fence along the sides of this bridge.
No. There will be a special police patrol that will look after cars, motorbikes etc, to prevent them from stopping on crossing the bridge.

[Cyril]

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/twister.c/Images/Divers/Viaduc%20Millau.jpg

[brummad]

bugger me its huuuuuuuuge! wow i love it

[hngcm]

i'm gonna do my French project on this one:)

[Julien]

Originally posted by hngcm

i'm gonna do my French project on this one:)

Excellent choice ;)

[hngcm]

no more pics:(

[Cyril]

http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/ressources/7600/pano2.jpg

[logue]

http://www.techniquesarchitecture.com/images/toute_actu:112869_2_500.jpg http://www.techniquesarchitecture.com/images/toute_actu:112869_3_500.jpg

[hngcm]

great, the day that i'm gonna do my project, is the same day as the forums are closed

[Cyril]

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/13_G.jpg
On the bridge

[jch]

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/01_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/08_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/14_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/12_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/10_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album53/20_G.jpg

http://home.tele2.fr/aaegc/nouvelles/millau/coupe_pont_millau.jpg
http://www.aurelle-verlac.com/millau/Vmelevpi.jpg

http://www.aurelle-verlac.com/millau/Vmelevtr.jpg

http://www.cantalpassion.com/images2003(2)/le_viaduc.jpg

http://tardieu.christian.free.fr/Viaduc%20de%20Millau/VIADUC-C-44b.jpg

[Vertigo]

Every pic I see of this project amazes me about the scale of this bridge. Amazing. Huge.

[empersouf]

I think it looks great in the landscape

[[Kees]]

This is amazing!!! :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

[L'Tar D'Lorez]

I think it completly spoils the landscape... Cable-Stay is just the wrong choice if you want the bridge to please the eye.... too many towers. If they were to use a suspension system.. .I dunno, it would look better..... still... I can't wait for the gungee community to discover it...... that's over 900 feet....... whew. Massive structure.

[TipNTop]

I think it completly spoils the landscape... Cable-Stay is just the wrong choice if you want the bridge to please the eye.... too many towers. If they were to use a suspension system.. .I dunno, it would look better..... still... I can't wait for the gungee community to discover it...... that's over 900 feet....... whew. Massive structure.

I think câble-stay are more discrete than a suspension bridge. If you want to reduce the number of towers, you just have to increase the heigt of each tower. I suppose that would be too expensive for this construction!

[empersouf]

Gigantic

[L'Tar D'Lorez]

I think câble-stay are more discrete than a suspension bridge. If you want to reduce the number of towers, you just have to increase the heigt of each tower. I suppose that would be too expensive for this construction!

In my opinion, cable stay is great for a breif central span. It gets very repetitive very quickly when you put in what, 9 towers? I do see your point though.... even towers tall enough to make suspension worht the effort would be prohibitively expensive, but even "short" suspension towers would give the viaduct a more fluidic shape.... more of a flowing form versus..........



you get the picture.

[Cyril]

The bridge is to open on 2004.12.17 ,which is earlier than expected.

[Drew]

It is both awesome and impressive in my opinion. The views it will provide should be spectacular.

[L'Tar D'Lorez]

Is bungee jumping legal in france?

[Cyril]

Is bungee jumping legal in france?

Yes it is:
http://www.bungee-jump.com/xindex.htm

[L'Tar D'Lorez]

YEE-HAW!!!


see you in milau!

[Chad]

http://tardieu.christian.free.fr/Viaduc%20de%20Millau/VIADUC-C-44b.jpg



It cannot be!!!...:eek: :eek:

[Rainier Meadows]

I love cable stayed bridges........I'd expect the landscape to be dramatically altered whence the tourism picks up and the urban developers with their shops and hotels move in....and I mean altered in a negative sense.......

Phenomenal work of engineering and cool bridge! :cool:

p.s. this is the 100th reply in this thread :D

[L'Tar D'Lorez]

http://tardieu.christian.free.fr/Viaduc%20de%20Millau/VIADUC-C-44b.jpg



It cannot be!!!...:eek: :eek:

hehehe, it reminds me of the game Jenga....

i once got a game up to 45 levels..... now just imagen doing that.....


500 times more!!!

[Trances]

looks so tall
Kinda shame its a bridge as the pillar is nice effect too

[redstone]

Looks dreamy and surreal ,like almost impossible.

Like driving in the sky...

[brunob]

Span of French Millau bridge, world highest, is completed

Engineers brought the two central ends of the Millau road viaduct in southwest France together, completing the span of the highest bridge in the world.

The road surface is 270 metres above ground, a world record, and the total structure, with suspension cables added will be 343 metres (1,132 feet) above ground at its highest point or 23 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower.
The crowing part of the operation will be the raising of seven pylons above the platform of the bridge from which are to be suspended supporting cables.

These will take the total height at the highest point to 343 metres. One of the main supporting pylons beneath the platform, known as pylon 2, stands 245 metres high, making it the tallest pylon in the world.

The bridge, along the most direct route from Paris to the Mediterranean, is to be opened to public traffic on December 17, 39 months after work began.

The French construction group Eiffage, which financed the cost of 310 million euros (378 million dollars), has a concession to operate the bridge for 75 years. Motorists will be charged 4.6 euros (5.6 dollars) for a journey, rising to 6.5 euros in the busy summer period of July and August, and heavy vehicles will be charged 19 euros.

The bridge spans the valley of the Tarn river to carry a motorway from Clermont-Ferrand to Beziers and establishing a major north-south axis parallel to the Rhone valley.

Eiffage has some roots in the engineering work pioneered by Gustav Eiffel, the engineer and business genius who built the Eiffel Tower landmark in Paris.

The Millau bridge, which is 2,460 metres long, was made possible by innovative techniques enabling the entire span to be lifted each time a new section was added.

But for this technique, the extension of each end of the bridge would have caused the extremity to touch and topple the needle-like pylon on which it was to rest.

With the two ends coming together within centimetres of each other, workers celebrated with champagne.

A gap of 15 centimeters (six inches) for the final joint remained. There will be a gap of 26 millimeters for about 10 days after which connectors will be welded in place.

The operation was a repetition of 17 other similar feats as work progressed to raise and rest the ends gently on their pillars, which stand like giant needles from the bottom of the wide valley.

When the remaining connectors have been welded in place, the total structure will comprise 36,000 tonnes of steel. This represents one quarter of the weight had the bridge been constructed by traditional means using concrete.

The bridge will then be completed with layers of road surfacing and motorway equipment.

[Desven]

i didn't actually know,that foster build bridges,too!

[Cyril]

The 2 ends of the bridge meet:

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0013.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0017.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0078.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0101.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0105.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0138.jpg

Prime Minister J.P. Raffarin stepping over the gap between the 2 ends:
http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0077.jpg

[jimm]

NIce

[rayman]

really awfull bridge.

Its a shame that they approved that bridge.

[idvd_]

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0101.jpg


ahm, khm, but, that doesn't looks ok for me, i mean, the bridge isn't "plane", you know what i mean, it looks full "waved" ~~~~~ :runaway:

[Trisuno]

it s normal...the bridge is not finished. all the bridge cables are not installed yet

look:
now:
http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album58/DSC_0017.jpg


the final result:
http://caiffa.free.fr/images/viaduc0.jpg

[CborG]

it's an unreal bridge!!
can't wait to drive over it!!

[CULWULLA]

the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colarado, USA still has record for highest road deck at 321m/1053ft high ! thats 51m higher than Millau's deck at highest point.
http://www.chriswajda.com/P7240008.jpg

[julesstoop]

I'm not going to say anything about Americans allways having the biggest... :)

[Cyril]

The pillars of this bridge are tiny. Millau viaduct has a pillar that is 343 m /1100 Ft. tall which makes it the tallest in the world.

[Style™]

This thing really is massive. I like it too. :)

[Trances]

crazy, Will be great to drive acorss
thanks for in info Cul

[Julien]

the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colarado, USA still has record for highest road deck at 321m/1053ft high ! thats 51m higher than Millau's deck at highest point.
http://www.chriswajda.com/P7240008.jpg

That's just nuts, you are comparing apples with oranges :sly:

[Phlip]

I don't think it's nuts - surely one of the best measures of the height of the bridge is the distance between deck and ground (ie. clearance underneath). This Millau bridge is amazingly impressive and absolutely huge, but it is not the highest bridge in the world by this criteria. Can anyone tell me what the criteria was that was utilised when naming this thread?

[Cyril]

Tallest STRUCTURAL part of the bridge, ie pillars + spires I think.

The American bridge above is HIGH but not TALL.

[Phlip]

Fair enough. The tallest OTHER bridge I can find is Akashi Bridge in Japan, it measures 297m to the top of the towers, Millau will be 340m. The proposed Straits of Messina Bridge will be 382.6m, but it will be five years yet.

[Cyril]

Yeah Messina Bridge will put all the other bridges to a shame

[Cyril]

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/05_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/04_G.sized.jpg

[Nightsky]

Very impressing. It must be scary to drive as high as the Eiffel tower, don´t look down!

[samson]

terrible ar!!!
the world now is became more n more hightech ^^

[ryanr]

OMG!! That bridge is amazing!:eek: A true engineering achievement! And its in the middle of countryside!

wonder why they didnt just make a road go down the valley and then have a small bridge cross the river? hehehe

[Dr. Dubai]

this bridge isn't normal anymore. a normal way is much cheaper. but it is a beautiful bridge.

[Matthieu]

No one even went there I guess?

This valley is right a very important way. The valley is very long to cross and every it's a big traffic jam. There is already a road getting down there farer in the valley. But it's a very long way. In the other hand, this bridge will be very used and will open even more road with Spain and Barcelona mainly.

For the fun, in the same place, about 30 km away, you have already a 144m tall viaduct where the cars are effectively passing at 144m above the ground.

[empersouf]

I am going to ride it next year.

[Ellatur]

how tall is it in feet?

[Nephasto]

how tall is it in feet?

What about to get a calculator, and do the maths?

[Phlip]

how tall is it in feet?

340m to the top of the towers is 1,105 feet.

Hey, can someone who knows the area please tell me whether this is on the route to Toulouse or to Barcelona? Looking at the maps I have, it appears the road junction is fairly close to Millau. Thanks!

[Matthieu]

Nope, Toulouse highway is from Toulouse to Perpignan and then from Perpignan to Barcelona. The bridge is too much on the north to be on the road I think. Leaving from Toulouse you don't need this highway.

[Phlip]

Ok, thanks. So this is nothing to do with Toulouse, it is on the direct route from Paris to Barcelona? Are there motorways the entire way if you were to drive from Paris to Lyon to Montpellier and down to Barcelona that way? If so, how much shorter is it going to be to go via Millau?

[tonio92]

Going throw Millau is not that shorter (you save 50 km )....but it is much more cheaper ( few toll ) and also you avoid the posible traffic jams on the Rhone valley.

By 2005 it would be motorway all the way to the south

[Nephasto]

Ok, thanks. So this is nothing to do with Toulouse, it is on the direct route from Paris to Barcelona? Are there motorways the entire way if you were to drive from Paris to Lyon to Montpellier and down to Barcelona that way? If so, how much shorter is it going to be to go via Millau?

And yes, obviously there is a Motorway from Paris to Barcelona, via Lyon and Montpellier. ;)
Just 50km longer than going to Millau as tonio92 said.

[Matthieu]

Ok, thanks. So this is nothing to do with Toulouse, it is on the direct route from Paris to Barcelona? Are there motorways the entire way if you were to drive from Paris to Lyon to Montpellier and down to Barcelona that way? If so, how much shorter is it going to be to go via Millau?


Yes it's on the axis Paris/Barcelona. Actually this Viaduct cancel a big traffic jam more than it removes km. Yet he is not the only one on the road, since it's full of valley you'll pass several viaduct like the one of Verrieres (144m high, the cars will be passing 144m).

[ERIC]

The latest pictures :

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/08_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/09_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/17_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/18_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/19_G.jpg

[Phlip]

Fantastic! It looks amazing. Eric, in your second photo, it looks like it also rises quite significantly along its length. Is that right, or is it just the angle?

[ERIC]

Yes there's a big difference of level between the ends, that's why it's sloping

[dumatod]

Oh! GOD!
Looks surreal!
so tasteful and elegant
Beauty! Like a noble young lady with a slender figure.
http://caiffa.free.fr/images/viaduc0s.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/08_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/09_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album59/19_G.jpg

[Q.]

Some pictures I took this week (thursday I think, it was a rainy day)

http://www.xs4all.nl/~qyroz/vakantie/bigimages/IMG_0637.jpg

http://www.xs4all.nl/~qyroz/vakantie/bigimages/IMG_0638.jpg

http://www.xs4all.nl/~qyroz/vakantie/bigimages/IMG_0639.jpg

http://www.xs4all.nl/~qyroz/vakantie/bigimages/IMG_0643.jpg

[Matthieu]

Bloody rain. It rained again here today.

[Phlip]

Send the rain here! We need it! It looks fantastic... when is it going to be open to traffic?

[Cyril]

A few pictures I took on 2004/08/07:

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/2.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/3.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/4.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/5.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/6.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/7.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/8.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/9.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/10.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/11.jpg

Panoramic stitching:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/millau-1.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cyril.poisson/millau/millau-2.jpg

[Matthieu]

Resized it would make a image for SSC.

[cinosanap]

it looks like a few tweazers joint together

[thyrdrail]

I think it's a great project engineering-wise. But I think it's a big eyesore on the picturesque landscape.

[Chad]

Damn.......I'm speechless

[Dubai-Lover]

incredibly stunning bridge. creates a great scenery with the hills in the background. a real pleasure to pass this bridge!

wow. so tall and so wide, this is what makes it so fanastic. also love the classical design in this case

[Yardmaster]

One of the Great Bridges, .

[Trances]

looking so great now

[drmadham]

holy moly! that is a beauty for sure, i wonder hows it like driving on it? those pillars are HUGE! i wonder if it bothers the farmers below...sadly it may be a spot for suicide jumpers...cause itll kill you for sure!

[Vertigo]

All I can say is:
:eek2:

[ERIC]

New pictures. The bridge is almost completed.

The 7 pillars of the record :

Pillar 1 : 192,50 m
Pillar 2 : 343 m
Pillar 3 : 319,05 m
Pillar 4 : 242,21 m
Pillar 5 : 234,42 m
Pillar 6 : 209,94 m
Pillar 7 : 175,56 m

Total length : 2460 m


September

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album69/15_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album69/18_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album69/21_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album69/24_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album69/28_G.sized.jpg

October

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/23_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/22_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/20_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/18_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/17_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/16_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/12_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/09_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/08_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/06_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/05_G.sized.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/03_G.jpg

http://www.millau-clic.com/albums/album16/02_G.jpg

[Arpels]

:eek2: c'est plus aut nom?

[Style™]

that's one amazing bridge.

[612bv3]

WOW :eek2: That's a beautiful bridge. When will it open?

[Matthieu]

The architect of Eiffage wanted it to look curved so people aren't affraid when going on it. Because there was a mistake a Foster's plan. With a straight bridge of this size people would have the impression to get in the void and it would have caused some accidents.

[Rainier Meadows]

great update! :uh:

I can see why some motorists may get nervous....that is driving into the sky!

[Vertigo]

:eek2:

Certainly one of the most impressive infrastructure projects of our time!

[Arpels]

:eek2:

Certainly one of the most impressive infrastructure projects of our time!
no doubt!!

[Cyril]

it is due to open next month :)

[Nephasto]

:D

I want to see more recent photos! :D

[tonio92]

latest pics of the millau bridge taken from this website : http://www.structurae.net

http://www.structurae.net/files/photos/930/pb010030_rd.jpg

http://www.structurae.net/files/photos/924/millau092004/millau2.jpg

http://www.structurae.net/files/photos/924/millau092004/millau6.jpg

http://www.structurae.net/files/photos/2029/millau_le_pont_1.jpg

enjoy :cheers:

[doile]

i dont think the bridge spoils the landscape, cause the landscape it's still there, it is like a sculpture to the landscape

[Cyril]

The bridge will be inaugurated on December 14th and open to traffic on December 17th.

[Manuel]

The bridge will be inaugurated on December 14th and open to traffic on December 17th.

really ? wow, ahead of schedule!

[Cyril]

Yes I have heard it this morning on France Info fm! Load tests are in progress this very day: one hundred lorries/trucks are being parked on the bridge to test its resistance. Furthermore a 100-ton load will be suspended under the bridge to test it too.

[EuroMaster]

how will this bridge be lighted? white flashing lights on the top or something, because planes have to see it it.

i'm very interested in the seams, they're at the end and the begin of the bridge(sometimes there are more seams in a bridge). because the length, the temperature-differents in all of the seasons of the year it's needed to make a very complex seam. the steal of the bridge can shrink if it's cold and grow if it's very hot. has anybody got pictures about it?

[Basejumper]

:banana: :nocrook: :carrot: A DREAM COME TRUE :carrot: :nocrook: :banana:

:cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1:

[eomer]

Tomorow (14 december) is the great day

It's OPENING !!!

[hkskyline]

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r459232499.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r3103448616.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r2779611923.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r942853386.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r109323911.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r2124013553.jpg

Pillars from the Millau Viaduct, designed by the English architect Lord Norman Foster, rise above the cloud-covered valley of the river Tarn December 9, 2004. The Millau Viaduct, with seven slender soaring pillars, is the highest bridge in the world at 343 meters, and now creates a direct route between Paris and the Mediterranean coast. The bridge will be inaugurated by French President Chirac at a ceremony December 14. REUTERS/Jean-Philippe Arles

[clive330]

Definitely another masterpiece of French Engineering :)

[Cyril]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/europe_the_millau_bridge/img/5.jpg

The world's highest road bridge has been inaugurated in southern France by President Jacques Chirac.

The Millau bridge over the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains is more than 300m (984ft) high - taller even than the country's Eiffel Tower.

The bridge, which opens to traffic on Thursday, was built to clear summer traffic jams around the town.

The BBC's Paris correspondent, Caroline Wyatt, says the bridge is one of the most breathtaking ever built.

She says that with its concrete and steel pillars soaring high above the morning fog in the Tarn Valley, the construction makes a spectacular sight.

'Delicacy of a butterfly'

Seven slender piers support the roadway, rising into seven graceful pylons bound to the bridge with what look like cobwebs of steel, our correspondent says.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/europe_the_millau_bridge/img/4.jpg

"The bridge is just on the clouds," Millau Mayor Jacques Godfrain told the BBC's World Today programme.

"The architect, Norman Foster, gave us a model of art."


TALL ORDER
Cost: 394m euros ($524m)
Highest point: 343m (1,125ft)
Vehicle height: 270m (885ft)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/europe_the_millau_bridge/img/3.jpg

Mr Foster said the bridge was designed to have the "delicacy of a butterfly".


"A work of man must fuse with nature. The pillars had to look almost organic, like they had grown from the earth," the world-renowned British architect said in an interview with regional daily newspaper Midi Libre.

Like Concorde and the Channel Tunnel, the bridge is Franco-British.

French construction group Eiffage - that built the Eiffel Tower - financed the project in return for the right to collect receipts from a bridge toll for 75 years.

The bridge is now a source of pride for Millau, which believes many more tourists will come to admire one of the engineering wonders of the 21st Century, our correspondent says.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/europe_the_millau_bridge/img/2.jpg

The construction also removes a bottleneck at the town, completing a new motorway link between Paris and the Mediterranean.

The construction of the steel bridge - now weighing about 36,000 tonnes - began in December 2001, using innovative techniques.

From the north and south sides of the valley, the metal sections of the structure were assembled, lifted slightly and then carefully slotted into place on each of the supporting pillars.

Motorists are expected to pay 4.6 euros ($5.60) for a trip across the bridge.
Story from BBC NEWS:
For further details check:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4091813.stm

Published: 2004/12/14 10:37:44 GMT

© BBC MMIV

[zafiris]

Awesome bridge!!!

[redstone]

It'll feel like driving in heaven! :eek:

[hkskyline]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20041214/mdf794733.jpg

The 'Patrouille de France' release colored smoke over the Millau Viaduct during its inauguration December 14, 2004. Designed by English architect Lord Norman Foster, the Millau Viaduct is composed of seven slender soaring pillars and becomes the highest bridge in the world, creating a direct route between Paris and the Mediterranean coast. (Jean-Philippe Arles/Reuters)

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041214/i/r4166507006.jpg

French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech during the inauguration ceremony of the Millau Viaduct December 14,2004. The structure is the world's highest bridge, a creation taller than the Eiffel Tower, longer than the Champs Elysees and designed to end a traffic bottleneck in southern France. Photo by Jean-Philippe Arles/Reuters

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041214/i/r501941415.jpg

French President Jacques Chirac talks with Lord Norman Foster English, designer of the Millau Viaduct, during the inauguration ceremony December 14, 2004. The Viaduct is composed of seven slender soaring pillars and becomes the highest bridge in the world at 343 meters, creating a direct route between Paris and the Mediterranean coast. REUTERS/POOL/Patrick Kovarik

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20041214/capt.sge.oos51.141204151600.photo02.photo.default-384x252.jpg

The Millau motorway viaduct is 270 meters above ground, with suspension cables 343 meters (1,132 feet) above ground at its highest point or 23 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.(AFP/Eric Cabanis)

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20041214/capt.mil10112141102.france_tallest_bridge_mil101.jpg

The Millau bridge, the world's tallest traffic bridge, seen against the evening sky, Monday, Dec. 13, 2004. Construction workers have nearly completed work on the roadway of the bridge, a viaduct that soars over a valley in southern France. The bridge, reaching about 270 meters (890 feet) at its highest point, will be inaugurated by President Chirac on Tuesday Dec. 14 and opens to the traffic on Dec. 17. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[EarlyBird]

Definitely another masterpiece of French Engineering :)

Erm... it's British engineering, not French. :bleh:

[hongkiu]

very impressive!

[hongkiu]

cool picture!


http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r459232499.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r3103448616.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r2779611923.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r942853386.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r109323911.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r2124013553.jpg

Pillars from the Millau Viaduct, designed by the English architect Lord Norman Foster, rise above the cloud-covered valley of the river Tarn December 9, 2004. The Millau Viaduct, with seven slender soaring pillars, is the highest bridge in the world at 343 meters, and now creates a direct route between Paris and the Mediterranean coast. The bridge will be inaugurated by French President Chirac at a ceremony December 14. REUTERS/Jean-Philippe Arles

[Ning]

Erm... it's British engineering, not French. :bleh:

British architect who designed it but the company who made the engineering work and built it is french (Eiffage, the same company that made the Eiffel Tower).

[Aquarius]

:banana: :banana: weeeeee Barcelona-Paris more near!!!!! :banana: :banana: congrats..

[to]

Bravi !!!!!! Congrats !!!!
Spectacular ;)

[TipNTop]

British architect who designed it but the company who made the engineering work and built it is french (Eiffage, the same company that made the Eiffel Tower).


For the construction of this kind of bridge, the engineering can't be made by a simple architect (and that's a good point, isn't it ;) )

Foster has just make a beautiful drawing.... and then french engineers worked to make it true!

In france, by the law, each bridge (small or great) must be drawing (but not "designed") by an architect. But that's about 1% of the total price of the construction, no more. The engineering is then given to a specialist.


Anyway for Millau Viaduct, the "foster touch" is very good! Everybody have make a great job! :)

[zietgeist]

This is an outrage!!

Are you aware that over 30 species of plants and animals were either irreversibly displaced or adversly affected by this development?! Including the already endangered Black-footed Starsis, a sparrow-like bird native only to this region.

Progress without conscience is regression. This cannot be allowed to continue. All so that the French can drive their stinky cars to the coast faster!!!!

Oh, by the way, did you know that the largest subcontract for this project was awarded to Haliburton? And the rich keep getting richer.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!

[cinosanap]

a simple road could do.
There is a road that winds up and down the valley.
They built this bridge because the road was getting too crowded.
It may spoil the landscape but it will get the tourists too spain quicker.

[Rainier Meadows]

WOW! :eek:

[andysimo123]

Am sorry but shit have you seen how views this has had. Nearly 80,000 wow but and the bridge is mint.

[Nephasto]

This is an outrage!!

Are you aware that over 30 species of plants and animals were either irreversibly displaced or adversly affected by this development?! Including the already endangered Black-footed Starsis, a sparrow-like bird native only to this region.

Progress without conscience is regression. This cannot be allowed to continue. All so that the French can drive their stinky cars to the coast faster!!!!

Oh, by the way, did you know that the largest subcontract for this project was awarded to Haliburton? And the rich keep getting richer.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!

:rofl: :rofl:

I just love this people.
Your dream country must be Buthan or the poorer countries in africa where there is absolutelly no development. No harm done the those rare spider species or something! Must be paradise! :D

Anyway... the environmental damage caused by the bridge is very small... it's impact on the ground after construction is just some concrete pillons...
Environmental hazard?! LOLOL!

[Nephasto]

Amazing project by the way!
Way to go France!

[Shado]

This is an outrage!!

Are you aware that over 30 species of plants and animals were either irreversibly displaced or adversly affected by this development?! Including the already endangered Black-footed Starsis, a sparrow-like bird native only to this region.

One would imagine having traffic on a bridge instead of at grade road would actually reduce the amount of roadkill.

[stratys]

It's incredible how you post this without any reference to the engineer who made this possible (being a viaduct, the engineering of this masterpiece is much more important than the architectural side... I think).

Michel Virlogeux is the man behind this.

'Although the soaring structure sets a number of records (...) its beauty lies primarily in its clarity of expression.' - http://www.fosterandpartners.com

I'm speechless, I've seen TONS of bridges and viaducts like these! What is so diferent in this one? The engineering of course... ugh... architects and their need to be the stars in everything...

I don't understand why the architect in every project has to be the star... without a good engineer they wouldn't be anything but painters.

[Matthieu]

^Amen

[Vertigo]

Any pics of the bridge being in use with cars?

[GuilhermeC]

It's a shame Halliburton built it, but it is a fantastic bridge. The design is great!

[empersouf]

Nice work France. I hope I can convince my parents this year to drive over the bridge......The mother of all bridges.

[Pedrillo]

It seems that this bridge is causing enough expectation. There are more than 100 users seeing this section of the forum, of which only 2 are members of the forum. ;)

[eomer]

Nice work France. I hope I can convince my parents this year to drive over the bridge......The mother of all bridges.

From netherland to morocco: this is a good way. Maybe it's bit faster by Bordeaux and Madrid but it's more expensive.
There are unexpected trouble on the viaduct: it's allowed to drive 130 km/h but lot of people drive....to slow to watch the bridge.
It's 45€ and 4 point less on your driving licence if you stop on it to take pictures...

[gun57]

some pics of the inauguration :

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album12/plaque0b.jpg

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album12/feu1.jpg

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album12/feu2.jpg

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album11/3_G.jpg

[612bv3]

This thread is crazy, almost 100,000 views. Great pics gun57, the 2nd pic is awesome.

[SJM]

The bridge is a marvel of Architecture and Engineering, Foster is the best!

[Ning]

only 201 replies for 101,242 views ?

[gun57]

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album37/02_G.jpg

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album37/03_G.jpg

http://viaduc.midilibre.com/albums/album37/04_G.jpg

http://www.aurelle-verlac.com/millau/vmillau200408.jpg

[redstone]

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20041209/i/r2779611923.jpg
This looks so very surreal, so dreamy...
Like a bridge linking Heaven and Earth! :eek:

[Hobodog]

If you are going to ruin a landscape like that then don't build an anerexic 'bridge.' Build something really impressive...build something that makes a statement more than..."look at how tall I am and how anemic I look..."

BTW...I am doing my best to hate this bridge...but its hard...

[lcohen999]

so how long is the drive between Bareselona and Paris?

[Aquarius]

so how long is the drive between Bareselona and Paris?

1068 Km 8h 52m For millau

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/aquariusbcn/bcn-paris.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/aquariusbcn/bcn-millau-paris.jpg

[FM 2258]

I wonder if or how the bridge will be lighted at night.

[Chrispic]

Hi. Sorry for my bad english

Yesterday I have seen the viaduc and I have took photos... I have not put my photos on my website yet (http://chrispic.site.voila.fr/index.html) but here is one of my pictures... http://img91.exs.cx/img91/4494/panoviaduc6lj.jpg

[Insane alex]

I love this bridge! :D

[snot]

This is an outrage!!

Are you aware that over 30 species of plants and animals were either irreversibly displaced or adversly affected by this development?! Including the already endangered Black-footed Starsis, a sparrow-like bird native only to this region.

Progress without conscience is regression. This cannot be allowed to continue. All so that the French can drive their stinky cars to the coast faster!!!!

Oh, by the way, did you know that the largest subcontract for this project was awarded to Haliburton? And the rich keep getting richer.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!

I love nature also and I dont like seeing highways build everywhere, but this viaduct saves more nature than destroying I think. After construction the Highway will stretch over more than 2 kilometers without cutting the landscape in two. Over 2 kilometers wildlife will be able to cross without danger.
The whole valley wil not really feel the highway passing. Cars while use less fuel because the road is much more flat and much less curved.
Would you liked a higway making a lot of curves and descending through the valley?
It would be nice if every valley had a viaduct over it in stead of a highway passing trough. The next step is a tunnel trough every hill. :)

[Julien]

Hi. Sorry for my bad english

Yesterday I have seen the viaduc and I have took photos... I have not put my photos on my website yet (http://chrispic.site.voila.fr/index.html) but here is one of my pictures... http://img91.exs.cx/img91/4494/panoviaduc6lj.jpg

Superbe image !

Very nice !

[eomer]

1068 Km 8h 52m For millau

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/aquariusbcn/bcn-paris.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/aquariusbcn/bcn-millau-paris.jpg

It's faster and less expensive if you do:
Paris-Montargis-Nevers-Moulins-Clermont Ferrand-Beziers-Perpignan-Barcelone instead of Paris-Orléans-Bourges-Clermont Ferrand....

[TipNTop]

I wonder if or how the bridge will be lighted at night.


Yes it is:

http://herve.mangeol.free.fr/images/technologie/viaducnuit.jpg

[Giorgio]

Y so tall? i think that its hight makes the architecture look a bit weird but nice in all

[Carretero]

Y so tall? i think that its hight makes the architecture look a bit weird but nice in all
This is not architecture: is ENGINEERING. Didn't you know? ;)

[-(･∀･)-(^｡^)-]

／( ^｡^)／ GOOD ＼(^｡^)＼

[Nick in Atlanta]

I saw a TV show on the building of this Viaduct or bridge, and the most amazing part of the construction was that they actually pushed the road across the bridge with a hydraulic powered machine.

The scary thing about this bridge is that the engineers and builders all went for lunch at the same restaurant and got pretty drunk everyday, and then went back to work. Lucky no one fell off!!

[DarkFenX]

You know what is scary? The bridge had people commiting suicide. Think about those people living under the bridge. Imagine their frighten looks when they see a dead person in their lawn. Yikes!

[Cyril]

The French are not drunkards and nobody lives right under this bridge. :)
A man commited suicide lately, he was the first.

[legolas]

wonderfull. I have to visit it!!! But I think Foster could do it better. (i think)

[B@dGuYoM]

The French are not drunkards and nobody lives right under this bridge. :)
A man commited suicide lately, he was the first.
I would like live under this bridge me :)

[stormyouss]

wow very nice !!!!

[rufi]

Is this the most viewed thread in SSC history :?

[Reflex]

It's unbelievable this bridge!!! :eek2:

[Victoria]

I read about this in my 2005 Yearbook- very awesome. I want to go on it!!! :runaway:

[Q-TIP]

Exciting bridge! Wish I were closer to visit it...

[Cliff]

How tall is the bridge, from the FOOT of the tower to the TIP?
I keep hearing from ground level is 243m, which isn't fair, isn't it? Thats not the structural height.

Thanks for telling me in advance.:)

[Cliff]

found this:
This Cable-Stayed Bridge Project is on schedule to be completed January 2005. (39 month construction contract). This project is being financed privately. This project has the highest bridge piers in world. Thus the title of the Highest Bridge in the World. The tallest will be 240 meters high. Overall height an outstanding 336.4 meters. This project will consist of seven separate cable-stays.

Yet some sources say that it is 280m, which makes it shorter than even the Akashi Kaikyo.

so,
280m or
336.4m or
343m?

[TipNTop]

Well, the total height of the highest tower is 340m
The height from the foot of the highest tower to the deck is 245m
The height from the deck to each top of tower is 90m
The maximum height from the ground to the deck is about 270m.

That's ok? :)

http://www2.ac-lyon.fr/etab/lycees/lyc-42/fourneyron/anciens/genie_civil/vue_pont_millau.jpg

[Cliff]

Ahhh.. thank you,:)

btw, why did the begining of the thread say that the bridge is 280m?

[FK]

Looks absolutely awesome, I saw the construction on Extreme Engineering on Discovery.

[eomer]

Here are some pictures:
http://lgv2030.free.fr/sara/millau1.jpg
http://lgv2030.free.fr/sara/millau2.jpg
http://lgv2030.free.fr/sara/millau3.jpg
http://lgv2030.free.fr/sara/millau4.jpg
http://lgv2030.free.fr/sara/millau5.jpg
http://lgv2030.free.fr/sara/millau6.jpg

[onetwothree]

Sorry, but I think that bridge is horrible. Why on earth build such a huge bridge instead of just building a normal road down the valley? I mean, there's not even water (except for that tiny creek)

[TipNTop]

Horrible? Well, that's your point of view!

This is not just a road; it's an highway... could you just imagine the billions m3 of earthwork necessary tu built this highway to the bottom of the valley?
The solution tunnel/earthwork was studied. It's not only less economic: it would have damaged much more the landscape.

...and your last remark is very right (and so pertinent ;) ): this bridge is not used to pass a tiny creek, but a valley!

[redbaron_012]

I have seen a few photos of this bridge in magazines and newspapers, some show masts atop each pylon with cable stays and others just show masts atop the two tallest pylons..........are some computer renders.A colour double page spread looked amazing but only showed two cabled masts?

[redbaron_012]

OK, I just read that the masts were added later! It surprises me that it could be built without them?

[JohnnyMass]

hum...not sure what to think, it's a wonderful marvel of modern engineering, no doubt about that, but there's something about it that I don't like...I think it's the overlay valley/bridge...doesn't look right.

[Isek]

onboard flight malaga - munich:

http://www.stefan-vogt.info/forum/millau.JPG

[TipNTop]

Great picture Isek. Thanks a lot! :)

[Isek]

Great picture Isek. Thanks a lot! :)

it was a intuition. i was reading all time - and the only time i looked outside the window, is saw that great building. :)

[Cyril]

Congrats ! I think it is the first time this bridge can be seen from a plane this way :okay:

[Hviid]

awesome bridge. I see it all the time on Discovery .. must be pretty freaky though to walk across it when ur that high

[pal]

Barcelona to Paris via Millau. You must cross the Massif Central and this is very slow.

Barcelona to Paris via Lyon is much faster.

[Trances]

great looking down shot !!

[TipNTop]

Millau viaduct from space:

http://techno-science.net/illustration/Architecture/Viaduc_Millau/ProbaMillau111204.jpg

[ZXAVIER]

wow..amazing bird's eye view of that bridge !

:runaway:

onboard flight malaga - munich:

http://www.stefan-vogt.info/forum/millau.JPG

[Effer]

Amazing bridge!

[eomer]

Barcelona to Paris via Millau. You must cross the Massif Central and this is very slow.

Barcelona to Paris via Lyon is much faster.
Absolutly wrong: there is a motorway from Barcelona to Paris via Clermont Ferrand and Orleans.
If you want to go even faster (and to pay less), you should leave A71 motorway at Gannat, use normally road to Moulins and Nevers where you will find A77 motorway to Paris.
http://map006.viamichelin.com/mapsgene/dm/BF37VwWOrd9uZmAX2fUI=YRsI32o5bY3_Jc9c-m=SpErzB9SsNaoksg9FA3WAgkMJcxmq2ZkvsUvVmQ=pRArbs46e1=UsTOv_hdCLL9wh=M7oC355ljObcH5mm5QJm0DzUOkUkXYxAyT-gtEsWbRskQgiYesNlvVzH_2iG-LSt4Qmk3x=PhMerJUjt=QV6kFvE7aMtk=FpdWgXtyKvhdEw5ae17fckz66izODIb3M_KN7VUEXxifmmCsyDa4NWWaJNqZzmKsuIKgU9zZ_r-S7Xg7Z6kXZ3cGXP2Pd9kCy6wVqPNytQfjYgsl=9_yRDW2W_r9RMtpYTcRPnxbArXxY0CO_i5r0EDQn96rU5KaWMeCEdtLo=I96BQ0Jqk-wokipQIriJjn0qlariYUtjjxUbpOj3tv71kC1OupQC_122lq7mXS91QUTL_P09Z3QDjJ_t-KhqQiQgZrmsZ3MkHqlBUk9XWOrlp9CGqW7lCbKdfDfX0NaYWjlmSsKzeTmWjlIk1HeWB_kn75rEZIk73h1qy-qs5oG1Nza=jO7VyAR=469Bsql3vF88