Rio-Antirio Bridge

[Paris]

Amazing new pics (February '04) from the official site of Rio-Antirio Gefyra :)

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb5_04.jpg

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb4_04.jpg

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb3_04.jpg

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb2_04.jpg

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb1_04.jpg

[Puto]

woow..beautiful bridge and amazing photos... :bow: :bow: :)

[Christos7]

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb1_04.jpg


Just look how beautiful that looks. :angel1:

[Patrick Highrise]

awesome bridge!! Any new pics/updates avaliable??

[zafiris]

Photographs by night and by day. The bridge will be ready in August !

http://www.****.gr/forum/attachments/26-5-2004_059.jpg
http://www.****.gr/forum/attachments/Rio_bridge1.jpg
http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/june04_3.jpg

[Landos]

Will it be ready in time for the start of the Olympics???

[Landos]

How soon will it be open to traffic??

[Landos]

per this article from Ekathemerini, the Rio-Antirio bridge will open the day BEFORE the Olympics begins! What a showcase for the nation of Greece!

Athens road, ail projects at the finish
Rio-Antirio bridge on Aug. 12

Two major road projects will be opened for use today, initiating a hectic period of similar inaugurations of transport projects that will culminate in the opening of the Rio-Antirio bridge to traffic on August 12, a day before the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony.

The schedule, including the early opening of the Rio-Antirio bridge, was announced yesterday by Environment and Public Works Minister Giorgos Souflias.

Souflias said that the bridge would be ready to accept traffic on August 12, almost two months ahead of schedule. The bridge (which has a total length of 2,883 meters, with 2,256 meters of it representing the world’s longest cable-stayed suspended deck in five spans) will link the western Peloponnese with central Greece and will greatly speed up connections with western and northwestern Greece. Tolls for passenger cars will be 10 euros, but economy-minded drivers will still be able to use ferries. The Olympic Flame will cross the bridge on August 8.

Targeting some of his colleagues who have said that only the presence of the current conservative government, elected on March 7, allowed these projects to be completed on time, Souflias remarked that “it would be stupid and immoral to claim the projects were made by the (conservatives). Citizens know that the projects began and were to a large extent pursued under (the Socialist government) and completed by our efforts.”

Today, a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) extension to the Kifissou Avenue ending at a major interchange at Neo Faliron will open to traffic by noon. This is expected to provide much easier access to the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway and ease congestion in southwestern Athens. Also today, the Kymis Avenue extension will open, providing a fast link from the Olympic Village to the main Olympic complex.

During the weekend, subway stations at Halandri and Doukissis Plakentias will open, extending Line 3 of the Athens Metro. Early next month, the line will extend to the airport.

On Monday the marathon route will be opened, followed by part of the Athens-Corinth highway on July 29.

[Landos]

Hey you Greeks, any updated photos of the bridge???

[george_ts]

Landos here you go

http://www.****.gr/forum/attachments/Bridge.jpg
http://www.****.gr/forum/attachments/Gefyra2807.jpg
http://www.****.gr/forum/attachments/the_bridge.jpg
:eek2:

and some more

http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00154425
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00154423
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00154421
:cheers:

[the scatman]

WOOOOOOOOW!!!! BEautiful!!!!

[Landos]

That is one BEAUTIFUL bridge! I can't wait to drive across it someday.

Are there any plans to make it possible for a passenger train to cross the bridge someday??

[atlantico]

Meh...there are much better bridges in other European countries.

[george_ts]

@ Atlantico

in considaration in what better?
this Bridge which has a total length of 2,883 meters, with 2,256 meters of it the world’s longest cable-stayed suspended deck in five spans
I thing this says everything

Cheers :cheers:

[Landos]

What a ridiculous and unimformed criticism, Meh. What do you mean by "better" bridges? Thats an idiotic thing to say.

The RA bridge has been long needed and it's a great addition to the Greek infrastructure. Additionally, it's not only functional, it's beautiful. As a Hellene, it makes me proud to look at it!

[george_ts]

What a ridiculous and unimformed criticism, Meh. What do you mean by "better" bridges? Thats an idiotic thing to say.

The RA bridge has been long needed and it's a great addition to the Greek infrastructure. Additionally, it's not only functional, it's beautiful. As a Hellene, it makes me proud to look at it!

:jk: :cheers:

[george_ts]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51134336.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=CACF07A1008DBC170D3268756D758C08A9C30E9B9B114CE8
:horse: :horse: :horse:

[Phlip]

The night photos are fantastic, and it is a wonderful and scenic location for the bridge. Maybe there are better in some people's opinions but this is a pretty good one.

[stoptchiyski]

Hi, the bridge was officialy opened in Saturday 7th Aug 2004. I can not figure out how to inser picture. I have prety much of them. Any help ?

[Phlip]

Some photos of the torch relay going over the bridge...

http://www.athens2004.com/Images/Legacy/torchrelay/Image%20Gallery/1943088b.jpg

http://www.athens2004.com/Images/Legacy/torchrelay/Image%20Gallery/1943101b.jpg

[Landos]

I'd like some first impressions. It looks GORGEOUS!

[eomer]

It's a fantastic bridge. I've got only one regret: it's a motorway bridge only.
Adding an HSR Track would have been a great idea...

[Matthieu]

Wonderfull bridge, congratulation to Greece and to Vinci, Ingérop and Gefyra for this bridge.

[hci1999]

Meh...there are much better bridges in other European countries.

give us some exmbles.u are not convincing

[greg_christine]

Spanning the western end of the Gulf of Corinth, the Rion-Antirion bridge is the longest cable stayed bridge in the world with a continuous deck of 2,250 meters.

The following pictures are from the opening celebrations:
http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/rion-antirion/fireworks1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/rion-antirion/fireworks2.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/rion-antirion/fireworks3.jpg

The following are pictures of the bridge during the day:
http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/rion-antirion/bridge1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/rion-antirion/bridge3.jpg

And here is a picture of the bridge at night:
http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/rion-antirion/lights.jpg

The following is the official website for the bridge:
http://www.gefyra.gr/English/framesetbig.htm

[Chad]

Stuning Design bridge!!

[GuilhermeC]

Just perfect!!

[Christos7]

I wasn't able to go on it when I was there this summer, it wasn't quite ready yet... but it looks stunning now that it is finished. It was very impressive in person also. They really put the ferry business guys out of business now though. :hahaha:

[Patrick Highrise]

Just one GREAT bridge!! :omg: :okay: :cool:

[Arpels]

people payto cross the bridge? :uh:

[greg_christine]

I wasn't able to go on it when I was there this summer, it wasn't quite ready yet... but it looks stunning now that it is finished. It was very impressive in person also. They really put the ferry business guys out of business now though. :hahaha:

My father, aunts, and uncles went across the bridge last month. The bridge toll is the same as the ferry toll used to be. The ferries still run and now offer a lower price. May father, aunts, and uncles actually intended to drive across the bridge in one direction and then take a ferry on their return. The best view of the bridge is from a ferry. Unfortunately, they ran short of time and had to make their return trip on the bridge.

[empersouf]

That's an amazing bridge.

[zafiris]

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/2004/engineering/article/0,22221,768003,00.html

The magazine "Popular Science" says that it is one of the most technologically advanced bridge in the world! :)

[Arpels]

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb1_04.jpg


Just look how beautiful that looks. :angel1:
yup that foto is gorgeos, the snow and the blue of the water, Crhistos wath is the hig of this bridge?

[Giorgio]

QUOTE: ATLATICO: Meh...there are much better bridges in other European countries.


Looks like another anti-greek. name them. did u see the opening of the bridge? It was magnificent! GO GREECE!!! Well done from Australia on a Great Olympic Games By far beating sydney and well done on euro! MPRAVO ELLADA! ELLAS OLLE. ps does any1 hav any photos from the opening of the bridge? the firework were wild!
i was in greece when it was half complete. i have seen many bridges but that is the most stunning. it is Huge and looks awseme. i happened to drive past it 3 times and i loved it. i wish i had crossed it.Greece really is becoming a real economical power in todays world. I really hope greece is successful for many years to come. CONGRATULATIONS ELADA :cheers: TO KANAME!!

[Christos7]

Giorgo don't mind that guy.... I don't usually like to come out and say people are "anti-greek" when they have opinions, but that guy really is. I believe he was banned and has a new name now. DOn't bother with him.

[Landos]

Envy is such an unattractive quality.

As they said in the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".....


"There are two kinds of people, Greeks and everyone else who wishes they were Greek!"

[Cliff]

OMG!!! The opening is just surreal! Greeks really have this thing for fireworks huh?(the display at the staduim was as awesome);)

[Insane alex]

Nice bridge!!! And awesome fireworks! :D

[Landos]

An article from Todays Greek newspaper Ekathemerini. If the bridge has served 2 million cars in the first 5 months, they should have it paid off in 15-20 years. Thats a very good payback period for a major construction project like this!


Rio ferries defy odds to thrive


Despite predictions that the opening of the 770-million-euro Rio-to-Antirio bridge in western Greece in August last year would signal the death knell for the car and passenger ferries working the route, an investigation by Kathimerini has revealed that the operators are actually thriving.

As the first cars rolled over the 2,883-meter-long bridge on August 12, many captains who sailed their small ferry boats in its shadow began to search for other routes.

The generally held conception was that despite its 9.70-euro toll for car drivers on a one-way trip — compared to the 4.50 euros they would pay for a ferry crossing — one of Greece’s largest-ever engineering feats, boasting the world’s longest cable-stayed suspended deck at 2,256 meters, would provide too much competition.

However, in the five months the bridge has been operating, the number of ferries serving the Rio-to-Antirio route has risen from 10 to 21, albeit after an initial drop. The boats have carried 150,000 passengers across the straits during that time, while some 2 million vehicles have crossed the bridge since it opened.

Cars using the bridge can cross from Rio to Antirio and vice-versa in less than five minutes, compared to the 25-40 minutes needed to cross by ferry. Although the bridge offers drivers a quicker crossing, it is also more expensive and this appears to be pushing traffic onto the ferries. There are no plans to increase bridge tolls in the immediate future, sources told Kathimerini.

However, the construction of the bridge seems to have led to a regeneration of the area and, according to Patras storeowners, attracted shoppers from the surrounding regions to the city, which lies some 10 kilometers southwest of the bridge. It seems that this extra traffic is also helping keep at least 130 sailors in a job.

[Giorgio]

cant wait to drive over it in July!

[Landos]

I stand corrected. Today's Ekathemerini stated the price of the bridge was about 110 Million dollars. At the rate it's being used, it'll be paid off in 4-5 years! Thats an amazingly short payoff period. After that it's all gravy for the Bridge Authority. It will add $ 40/50 Million dollars in revenues yearly.

[th0m]

Wow, 110 Million dollars is quite cheap for a bridge of that size. In Holland we have the Erasmus bridge, which simply spans a river, and it cost 365 million guilders, around 170 million dollars. Its arguably a better design, but definitely not as cheap as this bridge. Nice work Greece :cheers:

[george_ts]

I stand corrected. Today's Ekathemerini stated the price of the bridge was about 110 Million dollars. At the rate it's being used, it'll be paid off in 4-5 years! Thats an amazingly short payoff period. After that it's all gravy for the Bridge Authority. It will add $ 40/50 Million dollars in revenues yearly.
actualy if kathimerini (in the english version) wrote that thats wrong or forgot a number because The total cost of the project, including financial expenses incurred during the construction period, amounts to about EURO 800 million
from THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
gefyra (http://www.gefyra.gr)
anyway I never read the english version from kathimerini as it is not up2date as the greek version

[Landos]

It seemed like an awful low price to me george, but I'm not up on bridge building costs so I accepted it at face value. I was thinking something more in the range of $ 300 Million for the bridge alone, then the surrounding infrastructure improvements would of course cost a fair amount more.

But, even assuming your figure of 800 million EURO is correct (this figure seems high), it would be paid off in less than 20 years. Thats still amazing. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco took almost 50 years to break even-in a much more populace region. Kudos to the engineering/construction company for controlling costs so effectively.

By the way, I've heard one of the bridge stays was damaged in a suspicious fire. Anyone have news on that?

[greg_christine]

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100022_29/01/2005_52350

Rio bridge to shut for days
The new Rio-to-Antirio bridge in western Greece will be closed to traffic for much longer than first thought after a fire snapped one of its suspension cables on Thursday morning, sources told Kathimerini yesterday.

Initial estimates were that the bridge might reopen tomorrow, but sources say it will take at least 10 to 15 days to replace the damaged cable. The bridge has the world’s longest cable-stayed suspended deck at 2,256 meters.

There are fears that the bridge may remain closed for even longer if French engineers, from the firm responsible for its construction, discover that the fire was caused by a problem with the cable’s material or some kind of design fault. The bridge drastically shortened travel times between the Peloponnese and central Greece.

Initial assessments said that the 770-million-euro bridge caught fire after being struck by lightning. Other theories include the possibility that the blaze was sparked by wires rubbing together due to high winds or a short circuit in the electrical wires which run along the suspension cables.

[Skaros]

Leaving Peloponnese going to Antirio...
http://www.tsirman.com/weblog/wp-content/patra/patra_5937.jpg

[Avatar]

Yup I agree it's a stunning bridge, and one of the best i have seen. Great style right along its length with interesting a slightly unusual 4 split spidery pylons on a squat base. The deck looks long and elegant in a beautifully smooth arch. It's very graceful for such a long multi-pylon structure.


I don't like the way they have done the lighting. I think it could look better with different illumination, it's a pity there is not some way to highlight the cables a little more - rather than the emphasis only on the pylons. A whiter blue on top with an aqua underneath would would work better with the water setting, the colours they have chosen are a little intense.

[Giorgio]

I Agree....more lighting emphasising cables....but i must admit when it first opened it loved the lighting....now you have pointed something out that has put me off

[Fabio]

Awesome bridge and photos.

:okay:

[GoodGuy]

The Rion-Antirion Gefyra in Greece -longest cable stayed bridge in the world- has been labeled as best of whats new in 2004 in the engineering category by Popular Science Magazine
http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/rion/images/494_67.jpg
http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/rion/images/493_20.jpg
http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/rion/images/gef_47060.jpg
http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/rion/images/495_39.jpg
http://www.ce.jhu.edu/zmedina/IMAGES/Rion-Antirion/july04_4.jpg

[greg_christine]

March 8 article from the Ekathimerini website:

RIO-ANTIRIO

Bridge now fully operational after repairs to cables completed

The Rio-Antirio bridge was fully operational again from 5 p.m. yesterday after repairs were completed to two of its suspension cables that were damaged in a fire at the end of January. A section of the bridge had been partially closed since the blaze, which is believed to have been caused by lightning.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/content.asp?aid=53813

[Landos]

What a beautiful bridge, especially at night! I hope the Bridge Authority stays on top of the lighting-replacing burnt out bulbs when necessary-so it will forever be as beautiful.

[acrux]

this is from ferryboat...

http://acrux.altervista.org/photo/pict0998-1.jpg

>>www.gefyra.gr (http://www.gefyra.gr/English/framesetbig.htm) <<


greetz,
Acrux

[Skaros]

Some recent photos (March 2005)

http://www.geocities.com/thalassitsa2004/yliko/gef1.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/thalassitsa2004/yliko/gef3.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/thalassitsa2004/yliko/gef5.jpg

[greg_christine]

From the Ekathimerini website:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100026_01/04/2005_54688

Lightning caused Rio bridge fire

A freak bolt of lightening led to a fire breaking out on one of the Rio-to-Antirio bridge suspension cables, causing the 770-million-euro construction to close for five days at the end of January, experts said yesterday.

The unusual power of the lightning bolt and the subsequent blaze came together to create an incident the kind of which had never been recorded before on a bridge said Jean-Paul Teyssandier, president of the Gefyra consortium which operates the 2.25-kilometer bridge.

He said that lightning would normally be conducted by one of the rods located on each of the pylons. Experts are still examining the charred remains of the cable that caught fire, Teyssandier said, and this may result in the bridge’s lightning protection system being improved.

The bridge operators also took the opportunity to set out a new pricing scheme, to begin on Monday, which will see tolls for cars rising from 9.70 to 10 euros and from 1.50 to 1.60 euros for motorbikes. However, toll charges for trucks will range from between 15.50 and 35 euros as opposed to 15 to 44 euros.

[Skaros]

Some photos from www.hellascams.gr

http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/rion/images/bridge02.jpg

http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/rion/images/bridge07.jpg

http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/rion/images/bridge03.jpg

Castle of Rio
http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/rion/images/rion_fort_06.jpg

http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/rion/images/rion_fort_08.jpg

Part of the castle of Rio and some view of the bridge behind
http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/rion/images/rion_fort_03.jpg

[Skaros]

Τον πρώτο χρόνο λειτουργίας συμπλήρωσε η γέφυρα Ρίου - Αντιρρίου

PatrasToday.gr (www.patrastoday.gr)
20:54 @ 12/8/2005


ΠΑΤΡΑ: Τον πρώτο χρόνο λειτουργίας της συμπλήρωσε την Παρασκευή, 12 Αυγούστου, η γέφυρα Ρίου - Αντιρρίου, η κατασκευή της οποίας δεν υλοποίησε μόνο ένα όραμα 100 και πλέον ετών για την χώρα, αλλά αποτέλεσε κι ένα τεχνικό επίτευγμα από τα λίγα στον κόσμο, ενώ " έσμιξε " τις ακτές του Ρίου και του Αντιρρίου, μετατρέποντας σε... " τρίλεπτη απόλαυση " την διαδρομή από την μία όχθη έως την άλλη για όλους τους διερχόμενους.

Τους διερχόμενους, που σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία των υπευθύνων της εταιρίας " Γέφυρα ΑΕ " , φαίνεται πως ξεπέρασαν τα 4.000.000 διελεύσεις, αποδίδοντας παράλληλα το διόλου ευκαταφρόνητο ποσό των 40.000.000 ευρώ ( τζίρος της εταιρίας )

Short translation :

First year of operation completed for the Rio-Antirio bridge , on friday 12 August.
According to the statistics from the company who operates the whole project there were more then 4,000,000 passings over the bridge during this year.

[Skaros]

http://www.airphotos.gr/photo1/1389.jpg

[Landos]

Is there any plan to construct a railray-only bridge in addition to the automotive bridge?

[Whose Homepage]

What a beauty! :cool: Certainly one of the greatest bridges to be built in recent years! :okay:

I remember the Greeks showed construction photos during the u/c phase. :) That's when I fell in love with it. :banana:

[Skaros]

Is there any plan to construct a railray-only bridge in addition to the automotive bridge?

Dear Landos unfortunatelly when the final proposal for the project was accepted there was no planning for railway track on the bridge.
This was a big mistake in my opinion.
The main reasons was the cost (that could be double ) + the fact that there is no any railway network on western greece (oposite from Rio). (and even the railway untill Rio is ery bad)
If in the future there is a decision to develop the western railway corridor perhaps there will be also a plan for a railway connection though it could be also possible to build an underwater tunnel instead of bridge.

[Skaros]

What a beauty! :cool: Certainly one of the greatest bridges to be built in recent years! :okay:

I remember the Greeks showed construction photos during the u/c phase. :) That's when I fell in love with it. :banana:

Thank you for your kind words Whose :)
Here is one more photo for you (as seen from Antirio towards Rio) :

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/vakantieingriekenland/marja%20en%20francine/P5020110.jpg

[don_gato]

:eek2:

[Landos]

the fact that there is no any railway network on western greece (oposite from Rio). (and even the railway untill Rio is ery bad)

Skaros, the Peloponessus should have a good railroad network-for passengers as well as freight. The EU should support that infrastructure and that would, of course, include a railway bridge to complement the Rio/Antirio bridge. I hope I live long enough to see it!

[Arpels]

http://www.airphotos.gr/photo1/1389.jpg
thys one is fantastic :eek:

[gurukool]

awesome piece of architecture

[gurukool]

should i also say nice photography,,,

[United-States-of-America]

Cool.

[Skaros]

there is a small webcam (bad analysis , small window) which operates many hours every day. (occasionally there is fog so the view is not very good)
It is located on the side of Peloponnese.

the address is :
http://www.hellascams.gr/rion_bridge.html

(see also www.hellascams.gr for more webcams from greece)

[everythingisone]

http://www.gefyra.gr/english/worksprogress/Images_pages_materials/images/feb1_04.jpg


Just look how beautiful that looks. :angel1:
Truly stunning.

[savas]

This is a very beautiful picture...
http://www.airphotos.gr/photo1/1448.jpg

[Kuvvaci]

this is one of the beautiful bridges. However , I wish there was a crowded city around. So it could be more beautiful

[Giorgio]

if this bridge was in an urban setting, it would rival bridges like the Sydney Harbour bridge and Golden gate.

[Kuvvaci]

I meant this.. So you understood what I mean... And I guess you agree with me

[Kuvvaci]

who is the architect?

[Giorgio]

i no you meant it....

i dont know who the architect was

[Arpels]

This is a very beautiful picture...
http://www.airphotos.gr/photo1/1448.jpg
fantastic that one :eek:

[Skaros]

who is the architect?

From what i know the chief architect was Berdj Mikaelian (french?)
Other projects of him are: (from en.structurae.de , there are also photos of his projects there)

Barrails Viaduct (2000)

Gartempe, Viaduc de la (1996)

Harilaos Trikoupis Bridge (2004)

Jonches, Doublement du Pont de

La Mothe, Bridge over the A75 at (1992)

Libération, Pont de la (1993)

Meaux Viaduct

Noisy-le-Grand Footbridge (1994)

Sioule Viaduct (2005)

Triel-sur-Seine Bridge (2003)

Vecchio Bridge (1999)

[jonovision]

I can remember seeing this beauty underconstruction when I took my vacation last year. They were putting the deck on and it was very impressive. I have some amazing pics with the mountains in the background.

[Skaros]

Some beautiful pics from www.tsirman.com

http://www.tsirman.com/weblog/wp-content/patras/175_7574.JPG

http://www.tsirman.com/weblog/wp-content/patras/DSCN2001.JPG

[Landos]

Skaros, any news in Greece as to when they are going to build the Skaramina Island bridge (actually, two bridges)? They talked about that a few years ago.

[Skaros]

Skaros, any news in Greece as to when they are going to build the Skaramina Island bridge (actually, two bridges)? They talked about that a few years ago.

Landos i supose you mean Salamina island (SALAMIS where the famous battle with the persians in the ancient times happened).

I have not heard this , there are no any news , i find it extremely costly to build a bridge with a cost over 100 million euro for such a small island...

Tell me where did you read this information...

[Landos]

Yes, of course I meant the Salamina Bridge. I must have had a brain fart when I typed that! I read it in an online source about Greek news. I'll try and find the specific article and post it. The article stated there would be two bridges, one joining Perama and the island the other joining Nea Peramos and the island, I believe.

[Landos]

Are the pylons reinforced concrete or steel? Looks like concrete to me.

[Harkeb]

UH, I didnt know it snows in Greece!

[Arpels]

in Europe only dont snow in Malta and that is because Malta have no big mountains!!

[Skaros]

Are the pylons reinforced concrete or steel? Looks like concrete to me.

Landos its concrete :)

UH, I didnt know it snows in Greece!

Harkerb of course it snows :)
Peloponnese has some quite big mountains (Taygetos 2,407m , Chelmos 2,330m etc.)

The mountain seen from the bridge of Rio , is the Panachaiko mount with its top peak at ~2000 m.
Usually there is snow from late November till early April.

[Geroplatanos]

hm...

Click here for an amazing aerial view of the bridge

http://hellasga.com/gallery/albums/Patras/IMG_0051.jpg

If you want to see more aerial pics of the bridge and the region of Patras and Rio have a look at :

http://hellasga.com/gallery/Patras?page=3

[Giorgio]

http://www.mellow.gr/fullscreen/bridge.htm

Its a 360 Degree View.

[Skaros]

http://patras2006.gr/el/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/album01/Cable_Bridge_of_Rion_Antirrion.jpg

[NMBS1]

WOW!

[Skaros]

FRESH pics

A sunny day of April 2006

http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/8043/riobridge10pi.jpg

http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/2841/riobridge20gh.jpg

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/3650/riobridge35wt.jpg

http://img428.imageshack.us/img428/2416/riobridge48fo.jpg

Antirio as seen from the bridge (village+small medieval castle)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2818/riobridgeantirio5mu.jpg

[Giorgio]

Superb! Well Done!

An look at the lights on this pic I found:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/ksino1100/DSC05505Medium.jpg

[Arpels]

cool pics Skaros :okay:

[Chad]

Magnificent at night!!! :eek:

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

Very nice pics guys :applause:

[Giorgio]

Indeed it is brilliant at night. My favourite Bridge lighting...

Anyone have a video of the opening fireworks? They were superb.

[Skaros]

Ένα βραδάκι του Απριλίου...

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8877/gefyraapriliosapogeyma20064uv.jpg

[ryanr]

Beautiful during the day, amazing at night.:eek: Its now one of my favorite bridges in the world.

How busy is this bridge? It seems pretty empty in the pics.

[Landos]

Its busy enough. They'll pay off the investment in less than 20 years at the current rate. That's pretty amazing for a bridge that size. I think I read they see around 10,000 cars/trucks a day. They charge about 10 Euros/car (about $ 11)

[Arpels]

€ 10? :eek2:

[NMBS1]

That's really expensive, but totally worth it for such an amazing structure :)

[Landos]

It's comparable to the cost of a ferry, which was the only way to make the trip previously. And much faster and with far less hastle. If you can't afford 10 Euro for a trip across that bridge you're probably unemployed and shouldn't make the trip anyway. LOL.

[crossbowman]

Amazing photos!I'd love to see it at night...i would go back and forth and back and forth.But again...10 euros???I've noticed there are still ferries.If the price is the same,who uses ferries? :?

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

Some photos from the construction period

http://www.jphellas.gr/FILES/photo_projects/750x/tn_Rio-Antirrio_Bridge_Panorama.jpg

http://www.jphellas.gr/FILES/photo_projects/750x/tn_DSC_0197.JPG

http://www.jphellas.gr/FILES/photo_projects/750x/tn_DSC_0203.JPG

and the opening

http://www.jphellas.gr/FILES/photo_projects/750x/RIO1.jpg

http://www.jphellas.gr/FILES/photo_projects/750x/RIO2.jpg

http://www.jphellas.gr/Default.aspx?cat=3&sub=42&sub2=86&ItemID=284

[Scruffy88]

i love firework pics on bridges

[Giorgio]

Best bridge fireworks I have ever seen!

[Skaros]

Amazing photos!I'd love to see it at night...i would go back and forth and back and forth.But again...10 euros???I've noticed there are still ferries.If the price is the same,who uses ferries? :?

I am glad you like the photos dear friend! :)
The price for crossing the bridge is actually 10.5 Euro (May 2006)
The ferries are still in use mostly for the people who dont want to pay the bridge and for some special kind of trucks who carry dangerous materials (flamable etc)
The price for using the ferry boat is 4.5 Euro.

And a summer pic for those who want to swim in the clear sea of corinth gulf and have a nice view of the brdge...

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/5462/bridgesummer19hw.jpg

[Giorgio]

wow thats like $20 Australian dollars just to cross! I guess its worth it though...Crossing the worlds longest cablestayed suspension bridge.

[Skaros]

2006 FIB (International Federation for Structural Concrete) Award Winners for Outstanding Concrete Structures


Turning Torso, Malmo, Sweden
Shawnessy Light Rail Transit Station, Calgary, Canada
Rion-Antirion Bridge, Greece
Floating Breakwater, Monaco
Seiun Bridge, Tokusima, Japan

www.fib-international.org

fib Awards for Outstanding Concrete Structures. Awarded at the fib Congresses to give international recognition to concrete structures which demonstrate the versatility of concrete as a structural medium. The award consists of a bronze plaque to be displayed on the structure, and the principal parties responsible for the work receive certificates. Nominations are made by the fib National Delegations, selection by a jury designated by the Praesidium.


The International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib) formed by 37 National Member Groups and about 900 individual or corporate members, aims to develop at an international level the study of scientific and practical matters capable of advancing the technical, economic, aesthetic and environmental performance of concrete construction.

[Sodnal]

I just saw a Discovery special on the building of the Rion-Antirion bridge. It was pretty cool!

[Skaros]

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6676/riobridgefromkastritsimdf8.jpg

[Skaros]

A night walk on the bridge...

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/4093/nightwalkonthebridgegv0.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8710/pylonslightsmj6.jpg

[Giorgio]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/176964029_e11e575154_o.jpg

[Skaros]

13 December 2007

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9403/rioantiriobridge15dec20dp1.jpg

[Jean Luc]

Can someone please post a map of Greece showing where this bridge is? I'd like to know. Many thanks. :)

[Matthieu]

Still so impressive :)

[Skaros]

@Jean Luc the bridge is on the yellow spot bellow:

http://www.gefyra.gr/English/GreatDream/images_02/mapofGreece2.gif

@Matthieu its really still impressive, if ever come to our region lets go for a walk over the bridge its ~30 min. until Antirio.

And here is the site of the bridge (English, French and Greek languages supported)
http://www.gefyra.gr

[Jean Luc]

^ Thankyou Skaros. :)

[Skaros]

SIMPLE CROSSING TOLL RATES FOR 2008
Motorcycles € 1,80
Cars € 11,20
Trucks
2 Axles € 17,30
3 Axles € 28,10
4+ Axles € 38,00
Coaches
Up to 20 seats € 26,20
20-40 seats € 36,90
More than 40 seats € 56,50

[Skaros]

Distant view of the bridge from the city of Patras (8 Km straight line)

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/8681/dassylio1sp7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/dassylio1sp7.jpg/1/w1024.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img47/dassylio1sp7.jpg/1/)

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2913/dassylio5zc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/dassylio5zc2.jpg/1/w1024.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img255/dassylio5zc2.jpg/1/)