Pont d'Aquitaine, Suspension bridge in Bordeaux, France
Pont d'Aquitaine is a suspension bridge in Bordeaux spanning 1767 meters across the Garonne River, carrying the A630 motorway over the water. Two steel towers support the road deck, which runs 58 meters above the river surface and provides space for multiple traffic lanes and separate bicycle paths.
Construction of the bridge began in 1960 and took seven years, with the opening in 1967 creating the third major crossing north of Bordeaux. The initiative for the project came from Mayor Jacques Chaban-Delmas, who wanted to improve the transport connections of the city.
The bridge carries thousands of commuters daily between Lormont and the western bank of the river, linking residential areas with business districts. Its name recalls Aquitaine, the historical region whose capital Bordeaux has been for centuries.
The bridge forms part of the ring motorway A630 and remains open to traffic day and night, with separate bicycle lanes on both sides of the roadway. The best view of the structure comes from the riverbank, especially from Parc aux Angéliques below the western approach.
The bridge was the longest suspension bridge in France at its opening and held this record for more than two decades. Ships with masts up to 53 meters (174 feet) can pass beneath the roadway, allowing Garonne river traffic to reach far inland.
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