Viaduc de Sylans, Truss bridge in Le Poizat-Lalleyriat, France.
Viaduc de Sylans is a long truss bridge carrying a major motorway through mountainous terrain in southeastern France. The structure spans a deep valley, supporting traffic across a steep slope with a series of concrete supports.
The bridge was built in the late 1980s using advanced prestressing methods to reinforce the concrete structure. Engineers designed it with external tensioning cables to handle the weight of traffic crossing the valley.
This viaduct represents a significant advancement in French infrastructure development, connecting communities in the Ain department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The bridge is accessible only to motorway traffic and best viewed from surrounding mountain paths or the valley below. Photo opportunities are available from nearby viewpoints along regional roads in the area.
The structure uses a three-dimensional external prestressing cable system that was innovative when it was completed. This approach allows the bridge to carry heavy traffic loads while remaining relatively lightweight.
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