Rande Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Rande Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge
in Vigo
, Spain
. It spans Vigo Ria
across the Rande Strait, linking Vigo to the Morrazo peninsula.
It was designed by Italian
engineer Fabrizio de Miranda
, the Spaniard Florencio del Pozo (who was also in charge of its foundations) and Alfredo Passaro. The bridge was built in 1978. It forms part of the Atlántico toll road. It was exclusively a toll bridge until 2006; the toll was abolished in the section between Vigo
and O Morrazo
but there is still a toll on the other routes.
It has a length of 1,558 metres, its pillars have a height of 148 metres and its main span measures 401 metres. Although it was not the biggest (cable-stayed) span in the world when it opened, it was the longest span with more than two lanes.
The bridge, which links Redondela
and Moaña
through the Strait of Rande, is an emblematic piece of engineering in the ria
of Vigo
.
It currently carries around 50,000 vehicles per day. It is believed that there will be congestion problems in the near future, so several alternatives are being planned. Since its opening to traffic in 1981, 231 million vehicles have passed through it. It cost 3.658 billion peseta
s to build at the time and it has been recouped several times thanks to the recently-abolished tolls (23 May 2006).
As a result of the rise in traffic every year, a new bridge is being planned for the Ría in order to distribute traffic evenly. The new bridge will perhaps be on the eastern side of Vigo city, linking the Bouzas bypass to the O Morrazo
highway in Cangas
, although a very long bridge would be required; a tunnel has also been proposed but this could be much more complex.
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
in Vigo
Vigo
Vigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It spans Vigo Ria
Ria de Vigo
Vigo Ria is a ria in Galicia, Spain. It is the southern most ria of the Rias Baixas.The following German U-Boats are reported to have been sunk somewhere in the ria: the U-523, sunk August 25, 1943 , and the U-506, sunk at 15:50 hrs on July 12, 1943 .-External links:*...
across the Rande Strait, linking Vigo to the Morrazo peninsula.
It was designed by Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
engineer Fabrizio de Miranda
Fabrizio de Miranda
Fabrizio de Miranda is an Italian bridges and structural engineer, and university professor.-Career:He graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1950 from the University of Naples. Since 1955 he introduced in Italy the steel-concrete composite structures, mainly in the field of bridges...
, the Spaniard Florencio del Pozo (who was also in charge of its foundations) and Alfredo Passaro. The bridge was built in 1978. It forms part of the Atlántico toll road. It was exclusively a toll bridge until 2006; the toll was abolished in the section between Vigo
Vigo
Vigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
and O Morrazo
O Morrazo
O Morrazo is a county in the Galician Province of Pontevedra. The overall population of this local region is 81,228 .-Municipalities:Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marín and Moaña....
but there is still a toll on the other routes.
It has a length of 1,558 metres, its pillars have a height of 148 metres and its main span measures 401 metres. Although it was not the biggest (cable-stayed) span in the world when it opened, it was the longest span with more than two lanes.
The bridge, which links Redondela
Redondela
Redondela is a small town in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, northwestern Spain.-Parroquias:* Cabeiro* Cedeira* Cesantes* Chapela* Negros* Quintela* Reboreda* Redondela* Saxamonde* Trasmañó* Ventosela* Vilar de Infesta* O Viso- See also :...
and Moaña
Moaña
Moaña is a municipality of 18,709 inhabitants located in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.It is one of the five municipalities with Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marin and Vilaboa that forms the peninsula of O Morrazo...
through the Strait of Rande, is an emblematic piece of engineering in the ria
Ria
A ria is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. Typically, rias have a dendritic, treelike outline although they can be straight and without significant branches. This pattern is inherited from the...
of Vigo
Vigo
Vigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
.
It currently carries around 50,000 vehicles per day. It is believed that there will be congestion problems in the near future, so several alternatives are being planned. Since its opening to traffic in 1981, 231 million vehicles have passed through it. It cost 3.658 billion peseta
Peseta
Peseta may refer to:*The Spanish peseta, the former currency of Spain*The Catalan peseta, the former currency of Catalonia*The Equatorial Guinean peseta, the former currency of Equatorial Guinea...
s to build at the time and it has been recouped several times thanks to the recently-abolished tolls (23 May 2006).
As a result of the rise in traffic every year, a new bridge is being planned for the Ría in order to distribute traffic evenly. The new bridge will perhaps be on the eastern side of Vigo city, linking the Bouzas bypass to the O Morrazo
O Morrazo
O Morrazo is a county in the Galician Province of Pontevedra. The overall population of this local region is 81,228 .-Municipalities:Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marín and Moaña....
highway in Cangas
Cangas
Cangas do Morrazo is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.-External links:**...
, although a very long bridge would be required; a tunnel has also been proposed but this could be much more complex.
See also
- Battle of Vigo BayBattle of Vigo BayThe Battle of Vigo Bay, also known as the Battle of Rande , was a naval engagement fought on 23 October 1702 during the opening years of the War of the Spanish Succession. The engagement followed an Anglo-Dutch attempt to capture the Spanish port of Cádiz in September in an effort to secure a naval...
, hold in the area - VigoVigoVigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
, MoañaMoañaMoaña is a municipality of 18,709 inhabitants located in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.It is one of the five municipalities with Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marin and Vilaboa that forms the peninsula of O Morrazo...
and CangasCangasCangas do Morrazo is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.-External links:**...
, the places linked - flickr photo