Infante Dom Henrique bridge, Concrete arch bridge in Bonfim and Santa Marinha, Portugal
The Infante Dom Henrique Bridge is a concrete arch bridge spanning 370 meters across the Douro River, connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. It carries four traffic lanes with wide pedestrian paths on both sides for safe foot passage.
The bridge opened in 2003 as a solution to redirect vehicular traffic from the Dom Luis I Bridge's upper deck, which was repurposed for the Porto Metro system. This shift allowed the older crossing to serve a different transportation role.
The bridge takes its name from Prince Henry the Navigator, a 15th-century figure connected to Porto's maritime legacy. This naming reflects the city's historic role in seafaring and exploration.
The crossing offers clear pedestrian pathways on both sides and is straightforward to navigate when moving between Porto and its opposite shore. Proper lighting and road markings make it easy to find your way, especially for those on foot.
This concrete arch spans 280 meters with a notably shallow rise compared to its width, an engineering solution that was innovative for its time. The design demonstrates how modern construction techniques allowed builders to push the boundaries of what was structurally possible.
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