Viaduc de la ravine Fontaine, Deck arch bridge in Saint-Leu, Réunion Island, France.
The Viaduc de la ravine Fontaine is a deck arch bridge made of reinforced concrete that spans across a deep gorge. The structure stretches about 200 meters, with the central arch extending roughly 170 meters and the bridge rising to a height of about 110 meters.
Construction of the viaduct began in 2000 following an international design competition and was completed in 2009 as part of the Route des Tamarins highway project. The structure was built to improve this major transportation route through the mountainous terrain of the island.
The viaduct was built through collaboration between engineering firms from Belgium, Switzerland, and France, showcasing international expertise in bridge construction on Reunion Island. This project demonstrated how different countries combined their technical skills to create an extraordinary structure.
The bridge connects sections of National Route 1 and significantly reduces travel time through the mountainous terrain. Visitors can stop at designated viewing areas to enjoy impressive views of the gorge and surrounding landscape.
During construction, temporary cable supports held each half of the concrete arch in place until they met at the center. This engineering solution was crucial to prevent collapse during this critical assembly phase.
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