Great Architecture - World's Tallest Bridge

The 'Millau Viaduct', officially called 'le Viaduc de Millau' in French, is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France.

Designed by French bridge engineer Michel Virlogeux in collaboration with British architect Norman Foster.

It is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, with one pier's summit at 343 metres (1,125 ft)—slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 38 m (125 ft) shorter than the Empire State Building.

The Millau Viaduct is currently the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.

Official name: Le Viaduc de Millau
Location: Millau, France
Crosses: valley of the River Tarn
Design: Cable-Stayed
Carries: 4 lanes>

STATISTICS:

Total length of the roadway: 2,460 m
Number of piers: 7
Height of Pier 7, the shortest: 77 m
Height of Pier 2, the tallest: 343 m (245 m at the roadway's level)
Number of shrouds: 154
Average height of the roadway: 270 m
Thickness of the roadway: 4.20 m
Width of the roadway; 32.05 m
Total volume of concrete used: 85,000 m³
Total weight of the bridge: 290,000 tonnes
Estimated daily traffic: 10,000–25,000 vehicles
Total length: 2,460 metres (8,071 ft)
Width: 32 metres (105 ft)
Opening date: December 14, 2004