Merizzano Bridge

Merizzano Bridge
Viadotto Merizzano
San Giacomo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
(262) feet high / (80) meters high
285 foot span / 87 meter span
1960

When the first sections of the A1 motorway were completed in 1960, several giant concrete arches along the mountainous route became symbolic of a new era of Italian bridge engineering. The Merizzano Bridge is one of the most attractive of the bunch with two large catenary spans of 87 meters.

Just to the north and south on the A1 motorway are several more concrete arch bridges including Poggettone and Pecora Vecchia Bridge, Gambelato, Biscione and Aglio bridges.

The A1 Autostrada del Sole was the first major motorway to be built in Italy and is still the longest at 754 kilometers. The European route has also been designated the E35 and E45.

Some engineering drawings suggest the Merizzano Bridge is only 75 meters high.