Difference between revisions of "Despe-te que suas Bridge"

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[[File:São Miguel Island.jpg|850px|center]]
 
[[File:São Miguel Island.jpg|850px|center]]
A map of São Miguel Island showing the older 2-lane roads.  The Ponte "Despe-te que suas" is located on the north side of the island near the east end.  
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A map of São Miguel Island showing the older 2-lane roads.  The Ponte "Despe-te que suas" is located on the north side of the island near the very east end.  
  
  
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[[File:DespeMap.jpg|450px|center]]
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[[File:DespeMap.jpg|750px|center]]
 
A topo of the northeastern part of São Miguel island with the deep cut of the Despe-te que suas crossing in the center.
 
A topo of the northeastern part of São Miguel island with the deep cut of the Despe-te que suas crossing in the center.
  
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[[File:DespeSatellite.jpg|450px|center]]
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[[File:DespeSatellite.jpg|750px|center]]
 
A "clean" view of the canyon before the highway and bridge were built.
 
A "clean" view of the canyon before the highway and bridge were built.
 
[[File:Despe-te que suasView5.jpg|450px|center]]
 
  
 
[[Category:Bridges in Portugal]]
 
[[Category:Bridges in Portugal]]

Revision as of 20:33, 7 March 2012

Despe-te que suas Bridge
Ponte Despe-te que suas
Nordestinho, São Miguel Island, Portugal
492 feet high / 150 meters high
607 foot span / 185 meter span
2011

DespeImage.jpg


Completed in late 2011, the Ponte "Despe-te que suas" became Portugal's highest span in a 3 way tie with the 2012 Marão Viaduct and the Rio Zêzere Bridge of 1995. All are approximately 150 meters from deck to water. The main span of 185 meters is now the longest in Portugal and possibly longer then any beam spans that have been constructed in Spain. The deep gorge is one of many on the island of São Miguel which is the largest in the Portuguese Archipelago of the Azores. With the greatest population of any of the islands, a decision was made to bypass the slow turns and steep descents of the older 2-lane road on the north side with a more modern 4-lane highway. Known as La autopista Scut Açores or the Scut Azores highway, the project required no less then 27 bridges on 60 kilometers of new roads of which Despe-te que suas Bridge is the largest.

The relatively short bridge of 385 meters has an asymmetrical layout with side spans of 344 feet (105 mtrs) and 312 feet (95 mtrs) flanking a large central span of 607 feet (185 meters). The single cell rectangular box girder is supported on 302 foot (92 mtr) and 217 foot (66 mtrs) piers that rise from their perch above the steep slopes of a lush, tree-filled river gorge.

Also on the a autopista Scut Açores several kilometers to the west is the Viaduto Achadinha Achada with a height in the 100 meter range.



Despe-te que suas Bridge Elevation


Despe-te que suasView4.jpg


Despe-te que suasView5.jpg


Despe-te que suasView.jpg


Despe-te que suasView3.jpg


A map of São Miguel Island showing the older 2-lane roads. The Ponte "Despe-te que suas" is located on the north side of the island near the very east end.


Azores-islands-map.jpg

São Miguel is the largest of the 9 islands that make up Portugal's impressive Azores archipelago.


DespeMap.jpg

A topo of the northeastern part of São Miguel island with the deep cut of the Despe-te que suas crossing in the center.


DespeSatelliteWide.jpg

Approximate location of Despe-te que suas Bridge crossing on northeastern São Miguel Island.


DespeSatellite.jpg

A "clean" view of the canyon before the highway and bridge were built.