Ulla Viaduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ulla Viaduct |
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| Coordinates | 42°40′04.0″N 8°43′59.6″W / 42.667778°N 8.733222°W |
The Ulla Viaduct is a very special bridge in Galicia, northern Spain. It crosses the Ulla River. This bridge is a key part of the Atlantic Axis, which is a high-speed rail line. This means fast trains can travel over it!
The Ulla Viaduct has three main sections, called spans. These spans are 225 meters, 240 meters, and 225 meters long. The middle span is one of the longest in the world for its type! The bridge has also won many awards. It was built carefully to protect the local environment.
How the Bridge is Built
The Ulla Viaduct is a "composite truss bridge." This means it's made from a mix of steel and concrete. It has a strong steel frame (truss) and a concrete top where the trains run.
Besides the three main spans, there are also smaller sections on each side. There are four smaller spans on each end. Three of these are 120 meters long, and five are 80 meters long. One side also has an extra 50-meter span. Only the main spans have pillars (supports) in the river. All the other smaller sections are supported on the land.
The main spans are connected very strongly to their pillars. Usually, bridges are built so the spans can move a little. This helps them deal with changes like temperature. But because the Ulla Viaduct's main spans are different lengths, they needed a special design. The strong connection helps the pillars keep the bridge stable.
To make sure the pillars are extra strong, the fifth and ninth pillars are built differently. They have two parallel walls instead of the usual design. This special shape helps them handle more force. It also saved concrete while making them very strong!
Where the Bridge is Located
The Ulla Viaduct is on the railway line between Vilagarcía and Arousa-Padrón. It's close to the Arousa Estuary. This area is very beautiful and protected by environmental rules.
Because of the beautiful surroundings, engineers had a competition to design the bridge. The winning design was created by a company called IDEAM. The construction work was done by UTE Dragados-TECSA. The bridge started working on March 30, 2015.
Amazing Records and Awards
The Ulla Viaduct holds a world record! It is the longest high-speed composite truss bridge. Its main span of 240 meters is longer than the Nantenbach Bridge in Germany. That bridge held the record since 1993.
The bridge was also a finalist for the "Outstanding Structure Award 2016." This award is given by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE). It celebrates the best structures around the world. This was the first time a Spanish-designed bridge received this honor!
In 2015, the Ulla Viaduct also won the "San Telmo award." This award is given by engineers in Galicia. It recognizes the best engineering projects built in the region. They look at how well it's built, its technical quality, and its impact on the people of Galicia.
See also
In Spanish: Viaducto del río Ulla (Eje Atlántico) para niños
