Cran bridge, Swing bridge in Rieux, France.
The Cran Bridge is a swing bridge over the Vilaine River that consists of two sections: a fixed concrete portion and a movable metal span in the middle. The stationary section measures roughly 125 meters while the rotating part is approximately 23 meters long.
A ferry operated at this location until 1962, before the bridge was constructed in 1964. The new crossing replaced this traditional transportation method and modernized the connection between the two banks.
The bridge links two communities that once depended on a ferry to cross the river. Today it serves as a vital passage for residents and travelers moving between the riverbanks.
The rotating span requires advance coordination if you are navigating a boat with a mast height exceeding 5.8 meters (19 feet). For pedestrians and drivers, the passage is straightforward and provides a direct route.
This structure is the only bridge connection across the Vilaine between two major sections of the river, making it a critical transport point in the region. This isolation highlights its importance for local mobility.
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