Luka Gruž, Cable-stayed bridge at Port of Gruž, Croatia
The Franjo Tuđman Bridge crosses the Rijeka Dubrovačka and stretches about 518 meters, with its A-shaped pylon rising roughly 141.5 meters above the water. The 14.2 meter wide roadway is supported by a supplementary girder beneath the slab and connects the western approach to Dubrovnik.
Construction started in 1989 but was halted during the Croatian War of Independence, then resumed in 1998. It was completed in 2002, marking a major infrastructure milestone after the conflict.
The bridge is named after Croatia's first president, Franjo Tuđman, though its supporting pillar still carries the original name 'Dubrovnik Bridge'. This older name remains visible and reflects how the place has been marked by different periods.
The bridge carries the D8 state road and connects the western side to the city, allowing both pedestrians and vehicles to cross it. The clearest way to traverse it is from the western approach, which provides a direct route toward the harbor and city center.
The A-shaped pylon uses a box cross-section, a design that was specifically engineered to span the Rijeka Dubrovačka valley while connecting the city with its surroundings. This technical approach was notable for the region when it was built.
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