Malleco Viaduct, Railway bridge in Collipulli, Chile
Malleco Viaduct is a railway bridge near Collipulli in southern Chile, rising 102 m (335 ft) above the river valley and spanning 347.5 m (1,140 ft). The truss framework forms a wide lattice pattern crossing the gorge over nine spans.
The bridge opened in 1890, designed by Chilean engineer Victorino Aurelio Lastarria to link the southern regions. It ranked among the tallest railway bridges in South America at the time, helping connect remote areas to the rail network.
The name comes from the Malleco River flowing far below through the forested gorge, giving the region its character. Trains roll across several times a day, still linking towns across the southern countryside.
Trains pass over the bridge daily, and visitors can watch from a viewpoint along the R-336 road near Collipulli. The view over the valley and the steel framework works best on clear days.
The French company Schneider et Cie built all steel parts in France and shipped them across the Atlantic to Chile. Workers then assembled the elements in the gorge while rail traffic continued using temporary arrangements during construction.
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