Millau Bridge

[roadman65]

I am suprised that no one has mentioned the Millau Viaduct in France in any discussion here.  It is a structure that is worth talking about being the highest bridge and most interesting structure in the world.  The Willis Tower could fit underneath its roadway.  I bet it is real neat to drive across.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=millau+bridge&f

[Brandon]

I am suprised that no one has mentioned the Millau Viaduct in France in any discussion here.  It is a structure that is worth talking about being the highest bridge and most interesting structure in the world.  The Willis Sears Tower could fit underneath its roadway.  I bet it is real neat to drive across.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=millau+bridge&f

FIFY.  No one except the media calls it "Willis".

[Chris]

I've driven the bridge a few times. It's impressive indeed, but you don't see that much from a car, because there are high (slightly transparant) wind screens alongside the bridge to protect vehicles (strong winds are possible in the area because it spans a wide valley). There is a great rest area just north of the bridge where you have an awesome view of the bridge. It's accessible in both directions.

Just south of the bridge is a great descent into a canyon near Lodève.

The whole A75 Autoroute is definitely the best freeway in France in terms of scenery.

[triplemultiplex]

There was an interesting construction method for this span as I recall from a TV documentary a few years ago.  Pushing fully assembled road deck, complete with cable-stay towers, out over the valley on temporary supports with a bunch of hydraulic jacks.
img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Millau_Viaduct_construction_south.jpg[/img]