2. Franzosenschluchtviadukt, Prestressed concrete viaduct in Gruibingen, Germany.
The 2. Franzosenschluchtviadukt is a prestressed concrete bridge that crosses a deep gorge near Gruibingen as part of the A8 highway. The structure features two separate directional carriageways, each with three lanes supported by substantial pillars.
The original structure was built between 1934 and 1936 as a two-lane bridge and underwent complete reconstruction from 1987 to 1990. This modernization allowed it to handle current traffic demands.
The viaduct represents German engineering excellence through its hollow box girder design and advanced construction methods used in prestressed concrete technology.
The bridge undergoes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of daily traffic. Visitors can best appreciate the viaduct from viewpoints along the road or near the gorge itself.
The two directions of travel use different span arrangements, with one side having six spans while the other has eight. This asymmetrical design solves the challenge of crossing the gorge's varying terrain efficiently.
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