Pont de l'A71 sur la Loire, Highway bridge in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, France.
The Pont de l'A71 sur la Loire is a dual-carriageway highway bridge spanning the Loire River and connecting the northern and southern banks near La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin. The structure consists of two parallel roadways, each carrying traffic in opposite directions across the water.
The original bridge opened in 1980 as part of the A71 motorway extension toward Orléans, improving regional transportation connections. A second parallel roadway was added in 2011 to handle increasing traffic demands.
The bridge stands within the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage site, representing the integration of modern infrastructure with historical landscapes.
Crossing this bridge is part of the highway route connecting central France and is best experienced while traveling through the region. Visitors can only experience it as a motorway user, so plan journeys during quieter traffic periods if possible.
A second parallel bridge was added in 2011, doubling the crossing capacity and improving traffic flow between the northern and southern regions.
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