When planning a tour of Portugal, it would be a mistake for curious travelers to forget about the European road route "E01". Crossing the huge bay formed by the Tagus River in Lisbon, the route runs along the longest bridge in Europe, with a length of more than 17 km. Its appearance strikes with a combination of beauty and reliability. Achievements of modern building technologies in this example are delightful. Not having a classical form, it harmoniously fits into natural landscapes, surprises with its lightness and at the same time functionality.
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Bridge design
A real miracle of engineering, the bridge was designed for a year and a half, taking into account the landscape and weather conditions, all the possible little things that could affect the strength of this grandiose structure. The requirements of environmental scientists were not ignored, for the preservation of the ecosystem of the river, even the night illumination does not fall on the water.
Because of the length, which is interesting, experts calculated an error of 80 cm due to the spherical shape of the planet. Each, even the smallest detail is designed very reliably, so that for a service life of at least 120 years, the structure could withstand winds of up to 250 km / h, earthquakes that are more than four times stronger than the one that shook Lisbon in 1755, the strength of the aftershocks then only slightly less than 9 points.
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Just think, piles with a diameter of 2.2 meters go to a depth of 95 meters below sea level. Six lanes serve up to 52 thousand. cars per day. Moreover, if their number increases (the maximum throughput is up to 130 thousand cars per day), two more lanes are opened additionally. The maximum travel speed is 120 km / h, it drops to 90 km / h in bad weather.
Bridge construction
The bridge was built by four different companies, each of them had their own separate tasks, which were successfully completed. In a short time, only a year and a half, the construction was successfully completed. Particular attention was paid to safety. Not a single violation was recorded. No accidents occurred either during the work or in the subsequent use of the bridge.
Timing in this venture was of fundamental importance to the Portuguese. The opening of the movement is timed to coincide with a historical date. In 1498, the famous navigator Vasco da Gama paved the sea route connecting Europe with India. The bridge is named after him. On this day, March 29, 1998, five hundred years later, along the entire length of the road across the river, a huge festive table with treats was laid for all the guests who came to the celebration and more than three thousand workers who participated in the project.
The construction was not funded by state funds, this was done by the consortium "Lusoponte". The Vasco da Gama bridge is toll if you move towards Lisbon. Depending on the type of transport, the fee is € 2.5-5.85 for cars, for trucks - up to € 11.2. From the city, in the direction of the south, you can go for free.
What is interesting about the bridge for tourists
Vasco da Gama attracts both professional builders and lovers of aesthetic impressions. During the day, when the sun is clear, the bridge has a stunning effect. White load-bearing supports carry the motorway to the horizon. Its end is not visible, it is hiding, absorbed in the combination of turquoise water and blue sky. The other bank of the river is barely visible between them with a narrow blue strip.
At night, an artery emerges from the megalopolis burning with lights, and through the air, through the impenetrable darkness, it carries the bright light of lanterns and car headlights, it floats away somewhere .... At night, the journey across the bridge is mesmerizing. In front and behind, the illuminated section of the path is surrounded by a black veil, the banks are hidden somewhere in the darkness, waves are splashing below. And only from above, myriads of stars unsuccessfully try to illuminate the entire road.
At dawn, the charms of the surrounding nature become visible. A moving car catches up with a silvery track, a reflection of the rising sun. The freshness of the air invigorates, and the endless road inspires new wanderings. There are wonderful park areas near the access roads on the banks. In Lisbon, the townspeople and guests have come to love walking along these alleys.
Glorious photographs are obtained with a view of the bridge, they seem especially unique in the evening, when the pillars are painted in orange and red shades of the setting sun. All the colors of the rainbow can be seen here at this time of day. Against the background of the ultramarine sky, the bridge plays in different tones with every inch of the setting sun. Even in the most disgusting weather, this structure, like an unshakable fortress, protects travelers and enchants with its beauty.
Portugal can rightfully be proud of such a landmark as the Vasco da Gama Bridge. The world community has brought it to the treasury of the greatest architectural achievements of mankind at the end of the twentieth century.
