Ponte Rainha Santa Isabel, Cable-stayed road bridge in Coimbra, Portugal.
Ponte Rainha Santa Isabel is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Mondego River in Coimbra with a total length of about 330 meters. It features a semi-fan cable system and crosses the river with a main span of approximately 186 meters.
The structure was completed in 2003 and inaugurated in 2004 to improve road connections in the southern part of Coimbra. Its construction had to address significant stability concerns during the building process.
The bridge takes its name from Queen Isabel of Portugal, linking medieval royal history with modern infrastructure. This naming choice connects everyday travel across the river to the country's past in a subtle way.
The bridge carries the N17 road and connects to the IC2 route, providing access to southern Coimbra and the University's Pólo II campus. Pedestrians and cyclists can also use it and benefit from clear views across the river and surrounding landscape.
The bridge was designed by engineer António José Luís dos Reis using advanced engineering techniques to ensure stability. The engineering solutions developed to overcome stability challenges during construction became innovative features of the final design.
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