Puente de Róntegui

Puente de Róntegui is a road bridge spanning the Nervion River and connecting the municipalities of Erandio and Barakaldo in northern Spain. The structure features eight traffic lanes and was designed with considerable height above water to allow passage for large vessels.

Engineer José Antonio Torroja designed and constructed the bridge between 1977 and 1979, though its official opening took place in May 1983. The timing of the inauguration reflected technical inspections and regional administrative procedures.

The bridge carries two names: Puente de Róntegui in Spanish and Arrontegi Zubia in Basque, reflecting the region's bilingual identity. This dual naming is visible throughout the area and represents the cultural fabric of the Basque Country.

The bridge experiences heavy traffic during peak hours and is used by tens of thousands of vehicles daily. Visitors should expect congestion, especially during morning rush hour and late afternoon, when crossing on foot or by car.

The bridge was designed with height specifications originally intended to accommodate large ships from the nearby Euskalduna Shipyards. Later analysis revealed this clearance exceeded actual maritime requirements, showing how cautiously the initial planning had been approached.