Vizcaya Bridge - Bilbao, Spain
Posted by: 
tmob
N 43° 19.393 W 003° 01.032
30T E 498605 N 4796708
The Vizcaya Bridge, is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas (part of Getxo) in the Biscay province of Spain, crossing the mouth of the Nervion River.
Waymark Code: WMBWF1
Location: País Vasco, Spain
Date Posted: 06/27/2011
Views: 24
«It is the world's oldest transporter bridge and was built in 1893, designed by Alberto Palacio, one of Gustave Eiffel's disciples. It was the solution given by the engineer to the problem of connecting the two towns without disrupting the maritime traffic of the Port of Bilbao and without having to build a massive structure with long ramps.
The service was only interrupted once, for four years, during the Spanish Civil War, when the upper section was dynamited. From his house in Portugalete, Palacio saw his masterwork partially destroyed just before his own death.
On July 13, 2006, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The bridge, still in use, is 164 meters long and its gondola can transport six cars and several dozens of passengers in one minute and a half.
It operates every 8 minutes during the day (every hour at night), all year round, with different fares for day and night services, and is integrated into Bilbao's Creditrans transport system.
There are two new visitors lifts installed in the 50 meter high pillars of the bridge that allow walking over the bridge's platform, from where there is a view of the port and the Abra bay.»
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