A vast bridge in that connects two geographical regions of a major European country is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Rio-Antirrio Bridge in Greece, official known as the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, links Central Greece and the southern Peloponnese peninsula.
The huge feat of engineering stretches across the Gulf of Korinth, and provides a direct driving route between Rio, a town in the Peloponnese’s Achaia region, and Antirrio, a town in the west of mainland Greece. The project was completed in August 2004, a week before the opening of the 2004 Summer Olympics in the Greek capital, Athens. The bridge improved between the mainland and the Peloponnese, as prior to its construction, the peninsula could only be reached either via ferry or the Isthmus of Corinth, as per Greek Reporter.
According to a report by the European Commission on the project published in 2020, the total costs were 888,259,149 euros (which currently converts to around £769.2million).
The bridge is 2,880 metres long and 160 metres in height, and is reported to be the longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge globally. It’s also said to be among the longest cable-stayed bridges, too.
The bridge accommodates two lanes of traffic in each direction, an emergency lane, and a pedestrian walkway.
Tolls for using the bridge vary depending on the vehicle, ranging from €2.50 (£2.17) for motorcycles (vehicles with engine and less than 4 wheels), to €78.20 (£67.7) for a bus or coach with 40 or more seats, according to the bridge’s website.
The project is praised for its inguinity, as it had to overcome a number of logistical challenges.
The legs of the bridge descend down into deep water, and designers also had to contend with a loose-sediment seabed and winds int the area of up to 70mph.
It’s also located in one of Europe’s most seismic regions, meaning it had to be able to withstand powerful earthquakes.
Additionally, techntonic movement is also a hazard, with the Gulf expanding some 30mm a year.
These various considerations were factored into the design. In the event of an earthquake the bridge absorbs energy rather than resisting it.
The steel legs upon which the bridge is suspended rest on a bed of gravel, which allows them to move on the seabed.
The bridge parts are also connected to the pylons using shock absorbers and allow some flexibility to stop the bridge from falling apart under strain.