Brotonne Bridge, Cable-stayed bridge in Normandy, France
The Brotonne Bridge is a cable-stayed road bridge made of reinforced concrete that stretches across the Seine River for over a kilometer. Two tall concrete towers support the deck through a system of steel cables fanned out overhead.
The bridge opened in 1977 and pioneered a new construction method using cables and prestressed concrete together. It connected regions on both sides of the Seine and created an important transportation link for the area.
The bridge design influenced modern engineering practices, serving as a model for similar structures worldwide, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida.
The bridge provides four traffic lanes for vehicles traveling in both directions and allows large river vessels to pass underneath. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the walkways during the day and enjoy views of the Seine and surrounding landscape.
The central span stretches about 320 meters and uses a special system of prestressed concrete and steel cables arranged in a fan pattern on both sides. This approach was a rare engineering solution in Europe during the 1970s.
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