The Majestic Millau Viaduct
An Exceptional Blend of Architecture, Art, and Engineering
The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge located in southern France. With one of its masts as tall as 343 meters, the Millau Viaduct is known as the tallest bridge in the world. The bridge is 2,460 meters long and stretches across the Tarn River valley close to Millau. The opening of this spectacular bridge in 2004 captured the eye of the media across the globe and it has since been described as awe-inspiring, breathtaking, and beautiful.
Built as a Solution to Traffic Problems
For years, traffic between Paris and Spain over the holidays caused major issues along the A75 motorway, which has been undergoing restructuring in some form since the mid-1970s. Ideas to solve the major traffic problems were under discussion since the 1980s, and solutions such as bypassing the road were considered. The idea was to not only combat the congestion but also to improve access to the area for local residents and businesses.
The Solution: Build a Bridge Over the Valley
After the initial idea was discussed in 1987, the decision to build a bridge was made in 1991. The French government consulted with architects and engineers and conducted studies from 1993 until 1994. Another study was conducted between 1995 and 1996 that included discussions with five structural engineers and associated architect groups. The decision to install a cable-stayed bridge was made in 1996 along with the decision to accept the proposal by Sogelerg Consortium led by British architect Norman Foster in collaboration with Michel Virlogeux, a French structural engineer.
Opening Ahead of Schedule
Construction began in 2001 and continued for a period of three years during which French civil-engineering construction company Eiffage S.A. worked with several contractors on the Millau Viaduct. The piers were constructed with Lafarge high-performance cement, and the pylons were produced and attached by Paech Construction Enterprise, a Polish company. After the piers were completed in 2003 and roadways were completed in mid-2004, shrouds and pylons were finished later in the year, and the viaduct was officially opened in December 2004. French President Jacques Chirac officiated the opening, which was held 25 days ahead of schedule.
Exploring the Tallest Bridge in the World
Once completed, the Millau Viaduct was the tallest bridge in the world and broke several other records. The bridge has the highest pylons in the world (245 meters and 221 meters), and at 270 meters high, it has Europe’s highest road bridge deck. The metal deck is ALSO colossal. It is 2,460 meters long and 32 meters wide, weighing a hefty 36,000 tons. Because it is covered with modified bitumen, the deck is flexible and strong yet can easily adapt to and resist distortions caused by traffic.
The six central spans are 342 meters long and the spans on the outside are 204 meters in length. The bridge has seven masts that are 87 meters high and weigh 700 tons. Each mast has 11 anchored cable stays supporting the deck, and each stay is constructed from between 55 to 91 tensile steel strands made up of steel cables carefully treated to prevent corrosion. It took 30 kilometers of high-current cables, 20 kilometers of fiber-optic cables, and over 35 phone sockets to provide the bridge with electricity.
The Subtleties That Give the Design That Extra Edge
Although the visual impact of the Millau Bridge mainly comes from the seven cable-stayed “sails” that appear to float across the gorge, the greatness of the structure really comes from some of the more subtle details incorporated into the overall design. The elegant piers are tall and slender and split the pillar into two before elegantly closing it up again. To avoid the boredom of repetition, the roadway was slightly curved to add the third dimension to the shape of the structure. After a requirement to install a wind barrier beside the roadway along the edges threatened the overall aesthetics of the design, the designers made the most of the situation by adding a sophisticated aerodynamic shape that also allows for a stunning view of the expansive valley below.
By meticulously combining ingenious architecture, artistic excellence, and engineering brilliance, the Millau Viaduct is bound to inspire visitors from across the globe as well as the engineering and construction community, which is always under pressure to create structures that are not only beautiful and sophisticated but also cost-effective and functional.
