Vasco da Gama Bridge

The Vasco da Gama Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte Vasco da Gama) is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts and roads that spans the Tagus River near Lisbon, capital of Portugal. The bridge was opened to traffic on March 29, 1998, 18 months after construction first began, just in time for Expo 98, the World's Fair that celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery by Vasco da Gama of the sea route from Europe to India.

Vasco da Gama Bridge

Official name                                 Ponte Vasco da Gama

Carries                                           Six road lanes

Crosses                                          Tagus River

Locale                                            Sacavém, north of Lisbon, Municipality of Alcochete

Designer                                        Armando Rito

Design                                           Cable-stayed, viaducts

Total length                                  17.2 km (10.7 mi)

Width                                            30 m (98 ft)

Height                                           155 metres (510 ft) (pylon)

Longest span                                 420 m (1,378 ft)

Beginning date of construction    1995

Completion date                           1998

Opening date                                1998-03-29

Description

The bridge carries six road lanes, with a speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph), the same as motorways, except on one section which is limited to 100 km/h (60 mph). On windy, rainy and foggy days, the speed limit is reduced to 90 km/h (56 mph). The number of road lanes will be enlarged to eight when traffic reaches a daily average of 52,000.

Bridge sections 

North access roads North viaduct - 488 m (1,601 ft) Expo viaduct - 672 m (2,205 ft);

12 sections Main bridge - main span: 420 m (1,378 ft); side spans: 203 m (666 ft) each (total length: 829 m/2,720 ft); cement pillars: 150 m (492 ft)-high; free height for navigation in high tides: 45 m (148 ft);

Central viaduct - 6.351 m (20.84 ft); 80 pre-fabricated sections 78 m (256 ft)-long; 81 pillars up to 95 m (312 ft)-deep; height from 14 m (46 ft) to 30 m (98 ft)

South viaduct - 3.825 m (12.55 ft); 45 m (148 ft) sections; 84 sections; 85 pillars South access roads - 3.895 m (12.78 ft); includes the toll plaza (18 gates) and two service areas.