PONT DE NORMANDIE
Read moreThe foundation stone of the Normandy Bridge was laid in March 1988 and the structure was inaugurated on 22 January 1995. Its two pylons overlook the Seine at 204 m. Their foundations are supported by 28 piles for each pylon, these piles can measure 54 m. The access viaduct, on both banks, consists of concrete segments. The central deck consists of 96 and 116 m concrete decks and in the centre of a 624 m long metal deck with 32 segments. The central span of the bridge is therefore 856 m, the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world when it is commissioned. The guy wires consist of 184 cables. The mouth of the Seine being frequently hit by winds of 180 km/h, the Normandy bridge was built to withstand winds of 300 km/h. The visit is very easy to do without a guide, starting from the Engineers' Garden, at the foot of the bridge.