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BUILDING: Millau Viaduct
 
LOCATION: Millau, France
 
CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED: 2004
 
ARCHITECT: Foster + Partners
 
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Michel Virlogeux with Greisch, Arcadis and Thales Engineering and Consulting
 
STRUCTURE: Cable-stayed Bridge
Millau Viaduct

The colossal Millau Viaduct is the world's tallest bridge structure, spanning an entire valley in the south-west of France. The bridge provides vehicles with an elevated thoroughfare over the River Tarn, forming the last part of a popular route taken by tourists travelling to southern France and Spain.

The cable-stayed bridge is nearly 2.5km in length and is inclined by 3° to accommodate for the difference in height between the southern and northern plateaux. Looming above the town of Millau, the viaduct's tallest pier eclipses the Eiffel Tower in height and is only 38 metres shorter than the Empire State Building.

The Millau Viaduct's deck is supported by seven concrete pylons of varying height, to adjust to the sloping hills below. Each pylon then extends to form the mast above, which acts as an anchor for the steel cables that support the structure. The deck was constructed offsite and rolled into place from either end to avoid unnecessary risks associated with the bridge's height.

This majestic structure's design was tailored to the local environment, which is a popular modern trend. It successfully complements the natural shape of the Tarn valley and its features cast a minimal shadow over the landscape below. From its lofty heights, the overpass also offers commuters a never before seen view of the town Millau.

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Millau Viaduct

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