Šibenik bridge, Reinforced concrete arch bridge in Šibenik, Croatia.
The Šibenik Bridge carries the D8 national road over the Krka River near Šibenik. Its reinforced concrete arch has a span of 246 m and a rectangular, three-cell hollow box cross-section measuring 7.5 m by 3.7 m at the crown. The deck girder above is 10.8 m wide and assembled from prestressed precast beams.
Built from 1964 to 1966 to a design by engineer Ilija Stojadinović, the bridge was the first reinforced concrete arch in the world erected entirely by cantilever construction, without scaffolding resting on the ground. Its 246-metre arch was cast in 28-metre segments on a steel framework suspended from a pylon and moved by floating crane. It opened to traffic on 27 July 1966.
The bridge's midpoint holds a platform used for bungee jumping, drawing extreme sports enthusiasts. Just south of the bridge there is a spot with views of Šibenik and the span, making the bridge a landmark for visitors as well as a crossing.
The bridge can be viewed well from both sides of the Krka River, offering different perspectives of its structure and height. Visiting at different times of day shows how light plays across the concrete surface.
The bridge sustained grenade damage during the 1991 conflict but remained open to traffic despite impacts on its concrete surfaces. Marks from this period are still visible today for those who look closely.
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