Guadiana International Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guadiana International Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 37°14′15″N 7°25′08″W / 37.23750°N 7.41889°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of Via do Infante de Sagres A22 motorway (Portugal) / Autopista del Quinto Centenario A-49 Motorway (Spain) |
| Crosses | Guadiana River |
| Locale | Portugal–Spain border: – Right/West bank of the Guadiana (Portuguese Side): Castro Marim, Algarve – Left/East bank of the Guadiana (Spanish Side): Ayamonte, Andalucia |
| Official name | Guadiana International Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | cable-stayed bridge, with a deck of prestressed concrete |
| Total length | 666 m (2,185.0 ft) |
| Longest span | 324 m (1,063.0 ft) |
| Clearance below | 20 m (65.6 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1991 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | Vehicles only |
| Toll | Free on both sides, unless continuing on A22 after crossing into Portugal |
The Guadiana International Bridge (Spanish: Puente Internacional del Guadiana; Portuguese: Ponte Internacional do Guadiana) is a special bridge that connects two countries: Spain and Portugal. It crosses the Guadiana River, linking the town of Ayamonte in southern Spain with Castro Marim in Portugal.
This bridge is the most southern land crossing point between Portugal and Spain. It was finished in 1991. The bridge is mostly located in Portugal. It is the third longest bridge in Portugal and one of the longest in Spain.
Bridge Design and Size
The Guadiana International Bridge is a type of bridge called a cable-stayed bridge. This means it has tall towers and strong cables that hold up the main part of the bridge. The flat part you drive on, called the deck, is made of very strong concrete.
The bridge is 666 metres (about 2,185 feet) long. The longest part between its two main towers is 324 metres (about 1,063 feet). The deck of the bridge is 20 metres (about 66 feet) above the river. This height allows large ships to pass underneath safely.
The two towers that support the bridge are very tall. One tower is 95 metres (about 312 feet) high, and the other is 96 metres (about 315 feet) high. The tower on the Spanish side stands on a special island built in the river. The tower on the Portuguese side is built on land.
The bridge was designed by a Portuguese engineer named Professor José Luis Câncio Martins. It was built by construction companies from both countries.
Connecting Roads and Europe
The Guadiana International Bridge is an important link for cars and trucks. On the Portuguese side, it connects to the Via do Infante de Sagres A22 motorway. On the Spanish side, it connects to the Autopista del Quinto Centenario A-49 Motorway.
This bridge is also part of a bigger road system called the European route E1. This means it's a key part of a major road that helps people travel across Europe.
History of the Bridge
People started thinking about building a bridge in this area a long time ago. In the 1960s, both Portugal and Spain began studying if it was possible to build a bridge here. These studies lasted for many years, from 1963 until 1985. Finally, in 1985, the two countries signed an agreement to build the bridge. Construction then began, and the bridge was opened in 1991.
See also
In Spanish: Puente Internacional del Guadiana para niños
- Guadiana Roman bridge
- Lower Guadiana International bridge
- Our Lady of Help Bridge
