Passerelle Eiffel, Railway bridge monument in Bordeaux, France
Passerelle Eiffel is a former railway crossing made of puddled iron that spans roughly 500 meters over the Garonne and is supported by six stone pillars. The structure features a distinctive central arch and shows typical iron-building patterns from the 1800s.
The structure was built between 1858 and 1860 and was an early important project of an engineer who became world-famous later. After serving rail traffic for more than 100 years, it was closed in 2008 and given protected status in 2010.
The bridge is named after its famous builder and reminds visitors of industrial progress in the 1800s. It shaped how people saw Bordeaux as a modern city growing along the Garonne.
The crossing is not open to the public at the moment and is being renovated to eventually allow pedestrians and cyclists. It is wise to check current conditions before planning a visit.
The structure became known for a remarkable rescue when the chief engineer personally jumped into the Garonne to save an injured worker during construction. This event made the bridge memorable beyond its technical achievement.
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