The Millau Viaduct is an impressive 2,460 meters long.

The Millau Viaduct, a cable-stayed multi-span bridge in southern France, is a perfect example of where engineering meets art. Although often shrouded in mist, it is undeniably one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. And what’s more? The bridge is even Space.

Towering over the Tarn Gorge in southern France, the Millau Viaduct is an impressive 2,460 metres (8,070 feet) long and, with a total height of 336.4 metres (1,104 feet), is the highest bridge in the world. But these remarkable figures alone do not fully capture its grandeur. CNN reported.

Unlike many famous bridges that span points of similar height, the Millau Viaduct defies the norm. It glides through the valley on a flat track while the land beneath it undulates, creating a unique and striking contrast to the usual rollercoaster-like bridge experience.

The height of the viaduct’s seven pillars varies from 78 to 245 metres (256-804 feet) and has been carefully calculated to ensure a perfectly smooth ride for those crossing the Tarn. Each section between the pillars measures 342 metres (1,122 feet), a gap large enough to fit the Eiffel Tower. The pillars are connected to seven steel pylons, each 87 metres (285 feet) high, with 11 cable stays on either side supporting the road surface. This deck, which is about 14 feet thick and weighs 36,000 tons (the equivalent of 5,100 African elephants), remains stable and safe thanks to this engineering marvel.

In addition to its technical precision, the Millau Viaduct is also an aesthetic triumph. Located in the Gorges du Tarn nature reserve, the viaduct does not disturb the landscape, but instead highlights the natural beauty of the region.

David Knight, design and engineering director at Cake Industries and expert consultant to the Institute of Civil Engineering, hails the bridge as a “wonder of the modern world” and a “marvel of engineering”. He highlights the perfect harmony between architecture and engineering, noting: “Everyone who sees it finds it spectacular.”

The viaduct inspires awe whether viewed from the valley below or experienced from the A75, a major north-south route in France. The gentle curve of the road arching through the landscape is a sight to behold, making driving across the viaduct an experience in itself rather than just a means of getting from one place to another.

The creation of this modern wonder in the heart of France was a monumental task that took two decades of planning and development. The challenging geography of the Massif Central, with its vast plateaus and deep valleys, posed significant obstacles for travelers travelling from north to south or from northern Europe to Spain. These geographical challenges made the construction of the viaduct necessary, but also delayed its realization.

Michel Virlogeux, the engineer who led the design team, recalls the difficulties they faced in finding the best route for the motorway. Due to its remote location and poor infrastructure, the Massif Central was a priority for development in the 1980s, but it also posed a formidable engineering challenge. The French government’s decision to improve the road network and build a motorway through the region was a response to the region’s underdevelopment and Millau’s notorious traffic congestion.

Before the viaduct, Millau was plagued by severe traffic congestion. 20-kilometer-long traffic jams formed daily on both sides of the town. The road’s descent into the valley and its crossing of the Tarn river in the town center created a bottleneck that affected both local life and the region’s image.

In 1986, it was decided to build a bridge around Millau. However, the complex geography of the area made it difficult to find a solution. Initially, engineers considered moving the motorway east of Millau. However, this plan would have bypassed the town and deprived it of the economic benefits that the bridge could bring.

Only after extensive studies and consultations with experts did the team decide on the daring concept of building the bridge at high level from plateau to plateau, bypassing the valley entirely. This innovative approach not only solved the logistical challenges, but also led to the creation of the impressive structure that is now considered a testament to human ingenuity and architectural genius.