Joao Gomes Bridge

João Gomes Bridge
Ponte João Gomes
Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
(410) feet high / (125) meters high
410 foot span / 125 meter span
1994

Wedged between two tunnels on the Portuguese Island of Madeira, the João Gomes bridge is located in a deep canyon that is a nearly picture perfect setting for a high bridge. Just 30 miles (48 kms) in length, Madeira is a year round resort island with a population of a quarter million people. As part of a volcanic archipelago, Madeira has many deep canyons and gorges that come down from the higher peaks in the center of the island.

Also on Madeira Island and not to be missed is the Ponte dos Socorridos, a beautiful extradosed bridge with rare concreted stay “sails” similar to the Ganter bridge in Switzerland. Located near Câmara de Lobos, the unusual span carries a 4-lane highway about 394 feet (120 mtrs) above a V-shaped canyon.