Pont de l'Iroise, Cable-stayed bridge in Finistère, France
The Pont de l'Iroise is a cable-stayed bridge of prestressed concrete, 800 metres long, carrying the RN165 over the Élorn between Le Relecq-Kerhuon and Plougastel-Daoulas. Its deck, weighing 26,500 tonnes, is held by a fan of stay cables from a single axial pylon, with a 400-metre central span. The central section uses lightweight concrete, the rest ultra-high-performance concrete.
Construction finished in 1994 to provide a modern crossing and replace the older Albert-Louppe Bridge that had served the area for decades. The project was part of regional improvements to connect settlements with centers further south and reduce traffic congestion.
The bridge takes its name from the Iroise waters and connects two communities that were previously separated by significant detours. It has become woven into the daily routines of residents traveling between home and work in the nearby urban areas.
The bridge carries heavy traffic during rush hours, especially in the morning and evening when commuters travel between the communities. Plan to cross flexibly to avoid peak times if you have time to spare.
When it opened in July 1994, the Pont de l'Iroise held the world record for cable-stayed span. Its 400-metre main span ranks third in France, after the Normandy and Saint-Nazaire bridges and ahead of the Millau Viaduct. The deck was built by cantilevering the central span and launching the side spans.
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