Castilla–La Mancha Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castilla–La Mancha BridgePuente de Castilla-La Mancha |
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| Coordinates | 39°57′2″N 4°48′22″W / 39.95056°N 4.80611°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of motor vehicles on each side |
| Crosses | Tagus |
| Locale | Talavera de la Reina, Spain |
| Preceded by | Puente de la TO-1262 |
| Followed by | Puente del Príncipe |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 730 m |
| Width | 43.50 m |
| Height | 192 m |
| Longest span | 318 m |
| History | |
| Architect | Francisco Sánchez de León |
| Engineering design by | Ramón Sánchez de León |
| Constructed by | Sacyr, Aglomancha and J. Bárcenas |
| Opened | 17 October 2011 |
The Castilla–La Mancha Bridge (in Spanish: Puente de Castilla-La Mancha) is a special type of bridge called a cable-stayed bridge. It is located in Talavera de la Reina, a city in Spain. This impressive bridge helps connect different parts of the region.
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Building the Castilla–La Mancha Bridge
The idea for the Castilla–La Mancha Bridge came from the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha. They wanted to build a new way to cross the Tagus river. The first stone was laid in November 2007, marking the start of its construction.
The bridge officially opened to traffic on October 17, 2011. It was a big moment for the city and the region. Several companies worked together to build it, including Sacyr, Aglomancha, and J. Bárcenas.
How Tall is the Bridge?
When it was first opened, the Castilla–La Mancha Bridge was the tallest cable-stayed bridge in all of Spain. It stands at an amazing height of 192 meters (about 630 feet). That's taller than many skyscrapers!
The bridge gets its strength from 152 strong wire ropes. These cables are like giant ropes that hold up the bridge deck. They connect the tall towers to the road below, keeping everything stable.
Why Was This Bridge Built?
The Castilla–La Mancha Bridge cost nearly €74 million to build. Some people thought it was too expensive at first. They worried it might not be used enough. However, the bridge was built for a very important reason.
Its main purpose was to help reduce traffic in the center of Talavera de la Reina. Large trucks and other heavy vehicles used to drive through the city. This caused traffic jams and pollution.
In March 2015, a new road called the Variante Suroeste (Southwest Bypass) opened. This new road connects directly to the bridge. Now, heavy traffic can use the bridge and the bypass to go around the city. This helps keep the city center quieter and safer for everyone.
See also
In Spanish: Puente de Castilla-La Mancha para niños
