BIZKAIA BRIDGE UNAI MINTEGUI BUILDING CONSTRUCTION III CONTENTS LOCATION INTRODUCTION HISTORY NOWADAYS LOCATION LOCATION BILBAO LOCATION ABRA BAY PORTUGALETE GETXO INTRODUCTION The bridge, still in use, is 164 meters long, and its trolley can transport six cars and several passengers in one and a half minutes. It operates every 8 minutes during the day (every hour at night), all year round. An estimated four million passengers and half a million vehicles use the bridge annually. There are two new visitor lifts installed in the 50 meter high pillars of the bridge that allow walking over the bridge's platform, from where there is a superb view of the port and the Abra bay. Of course is not free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2zk6224h08 HISTORY The Bizkaia Bridge was built to connect the two banks which are situated at the mouth of the Ibaizabal River. It is the world's oldest transporter bridge and was built in 1893, designed by Alberto Palacio, one of Gustave Eiffel’s disciples. The Engineer Ferdinand Joseph Arnodin was in charge, and it was the solution given by the engineer to the problem of connecting the towns of Portugalete and Getxo without disrupting the maritime traffic of the Port of Bilbao and without having to build a massive structure with long ramps, otherwise are 20km by car. Palacio wanted to design a bridge which could transport passengers and cargo, and that could allow ships to go through. 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 masterpiece partially destroyed just before his own death. On 1939-1941 it was rebuilt. HISTORY In 1999 important works were done on the bridge, including the installation of elevators in the towers of both banks and enabling a walkway on the upper beam, in order to introduce a tourist use. On July 13, 2006, the Vizcaya Bridge was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO At first, was painted black, however, a restoration project that includes a color change was approved in 2010. Three tones were proposed, similar to the three iron ore next to this place: -The ‘Campanil’ from Gallarta, the ‘Blenda’ from Triano and ‘Vena roja hematita’ from Somorrostro. Finally was elected the one from Somorrostro. HISTORY History NOWADAYS BRIDGE MEASURES: -Four towers of 61 meters high made of iron -Platform located 45m above has 164m long -Uses 8 steel support cables (4 per side) anchored at the foundation at the two ends of the bypasses 110 meters away from the towers NOWADAYS TROLLEY MEASURES: -25 meters long -Hanging from a 36-wheel truck -Last trolley since 1999 (No. 5) -Twelve electric motors -Up to 6 vehicles (car type) and 200 passengers (100 in each room) and can be completed with 6 motorcycles or bicycles. NOWADAYS NOWADAYS NOWADAYS Some curosities: -Half-Marathon race -Puenting - New year celebration NOWADAYS HALF-MARATHON RACE: - The runners run along the coast from one side of the bridge to the other side. - They have made twice in the history and the record is 1h11min52sec. -In the last race participated 738 runners. NOWADAYS PUENTING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz1UWP2Lp_s NOWADAYS NEW YEAR CELEBRATRION BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.puente-colgante.com/index.php/es/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizcaya_Bridge http://www.21kpuentebizkaia.com/assets/absoluta 21k.pdf THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION