Viaduc du Lignon, Road bridge in Monistrol-sur-Loire and Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon, France.
The Viaduc du Lignon is a road bridge made of steel and concrete that spans 640 meters across the Lignon Valley and rises 110 meters above the river. Its mixed construction method allows for a stable link between both banks with a consistent structural design throughout.
The bridge was built between 1991 and 1993 and officially opened on February 25, 1994, by Prime Minister Édouard Balladur. It was created to establish a permanent link across the valley, replacing earlier crossing methods.
The bridge connects two communities and allows daily exchanges between residents of Monistrol-sur-Loire and Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon. It has become part of local life, routinely used by inhabitants to link their neighborhoods together.
The bridge is part of National Road 88 and provides vehicles with a safe crossing over the valley. Safety features include concrete guardrails and a 2.5-meter barrier designed to prevent accidents and protect drivers.
Engineers chose a mixed steel and concrete design instead of a prestressed concrete structure because it was more economical and better suited to local wind patterns. This technical decision significantly influenced how the bridge looks and performs over time.
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