Pont de Noirmoutier, Bridge between mainland and Noirmoutier Island, France
Pont de Noirmoutier is a 583-meter prestressed concrete bridge spanning the Fromentine Strait, linking La Barre-de-Monts on the mainland to Barbâtre on Noirmoutier Island. The roadway runs on slender reinforced concrete box girders supported by several piers that stand in the shallow water and allow tidal currents to flow beneath.
The bridge was built between 1969 and 1971, replacing a ferry service and the submersible Passage du Gois causeway. Construction took about two years, and the structure opened to traffic in June 1971, providing the island with a permanent link to the mainland.
The structure links the mainland to the island and has changed the rhythm of life on both shores, as residents and visitors can now cross at any time. Before it existed, crossing depended on the tides; today cars and cyclists roll across the lanes regardless of the water level.
The crossing is toll-free and open to cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians at all hours, regardless of weather or tides. Standard traffic rules apply on the roadway, and the bridge remains passable even during periods of strong coastal wind.
The bridge girders were reinforced with tensioned steel cables that were tightened after construction to prevent cracking. This technique allowed for a more slender design and saved material while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
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