Henri Konan Bédié Bridge, Modern toll bridge in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

The Henri Konan Bédié Bridge is a 1.5 km toll viaduct over the Ébrié Lagoon, linking Cocody and Marcory in Abidjan. Its deck is 28 m wide, with three lanes in each direction and a 3 m sidewalk. The light-grey concrete structure rests on piers founded 30 to 80 m deep.

Plans for this bridge were first conceived in 1952, yet construction did not begin until 2011 due to political circumstances in the country. The project marked a significant step toward improving urban connectivity and transportation in Abidjan.

The bridge takes its name from a former president of Ivory Coast and represents the commitment of the nation to infrastructure modernization.

Crossing the bridge significantly reduces travel time between the two districts, cutting what was once a two-hour journey to just 15 minutes. Expect to pay a toll and plan for potential delays during rush hours.

The bridge's concrete was a Spanish CM3 mix, chemically adjusted with additives to suit local conditions, while bentonite was used to shape the pile formwork. Up to 1,500 workers, 90% of them Ivorian, built it alongside 60 expatriates and French and Ivorian engineers from the Institut polytechnique Houphouët-Boigny.