Unusual vertical drawbridge in Bordeaux

The Jacques Chabant-Delma bridge, located in France, is rightfully considered a masterpiece of bridge building. It is the longest vertical drawbridge in Europe and is very original.

This unusual bridge is located on the Garonne River in the city of Bordeaux and bears the name of Jacques Chaban-Delm, a prominent politician, former mayor of Bordeaux and the Prime Minister of France. The bridge was inaugurated in March 2013, three years after the start of construction. The width of the bridge is 32 meters, on which it was possible to place two automobile lanes and two mounted pedestrian and bicycle zones. The main materials used in the construction of the bridge are concrete and steel.

This is a vertical drawbridge, the central part of which rises to a height of 50 meters in order to pass the sea vessels calling at Bordeaux. The total length of the bridge is 575 meters, and the central moving part has a length of 110 meters. The weight of this elevator is supported by four independent tower towers. Thanks to this unusual design, grand cruise liners and cargo ships can safely sail along the river. The central part of the bridge rises as necessary, an average of 120 times a year. And here is how it looks.