Millau Viaduct is a French work of art
Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world. It’s located in southern France and crosses the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Can you drive on the Millau Viaduct?
Tucked away in the northeast of the Midi-Pyrenees area of the Occitanie region, on the southern part of the country, the cable-stayed bridge, designed by Norman Foster, was constructed in 3 years and inaugurated on 17 December 2004. It is part of the A75-A71 autoroute from Paris to Béziers and Montpellier. It’s a toll road totally paved and was built to alleviate holiday traffic between France and Spain. Stretching higher than the Eiffel Tower, as well as being an engineering masterpiece, it also looks like a work of art - typical of the French. It’s 2,460 m (8,070 ft) long and has a total span of four lanes.
Is Millau Viaduct dangerous?
This is not a route for cars towing heavy caravans, as there are several long and steep climbs and descents. It can get quickly blocked in winter, in the event of sudden heavy snowfalls which are not uncommon on the high ground. Driving with high winds is particularly demanding for large vehicles such as trucks, buses and trailers. Their large surface, especially when the wind hits laterally, increase the risk of overturning. If traffic is not banned them altogether, there’s only one solution to avoid the accident: slow down and increase the safety distances. Light vehicles will need to exercise extreme vigilance when overtaking, especially heavyweight causing air calls and two wheels that can easily swerve. Again, slow is the best way to protect yourself.
Is the Millau Viaduct the tallest bridge in the world?
The cost of the bridge, officially called Le Viaduc de Millau, was approximately 400 million euros. It holds the world record for the tallest bridge, with its mast summit is at 343.0 metres (1,125 ft) above the base of the structure (19 meters-62 ft taller than the Eiffel Tower). Looking down on clouds is to be expected from an airplane, but it’s a bit more unsettling in a car. Its elegant white silhouette can be seen for miles round.
Image credit: Depositphotos