Vila Real Bridge, Cable-stayed viaduct in Vila Real, Portugal
Vila Real Bridge is a cable-stayed viaduct that crosses the Corgo River valley in northern Portugal. The structure features a concrete deck supported by twin pylons connected by diagonal steel cables that form the characteristic triangular pattern of modern bridge design.
Completed in 2013, the bridge emerged from a regional infrastructure project to improve road connectivity in the northern interior. It represents an important addition to the A4 highway system that serves the Trao-os-Montes area.
This bridge exemplifies modern Portuguese engineering practices through its structural design, which combines utility with contemporary architectural principles.
The bridge is accessible year-round as part of the A4 motorway route and carries regular vehicle traffic. Pedestrians cannot walk on the structure itself, but viewing points along the surrounding valley offer clear perspectives of its full height and design.
The structure towers approximately 230 meters above the riverbed, placing it among Europe's highest bridges. Among all cable-stayed bridges with concrete decks, it holds one of the most extreme height-to-span ratios.
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