Walking on the tightrope. 516 Arouca, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge, opening
07/05/2021.
[Arouca] Portugal
metalocus, RAMIRO ISAURRALDE
metalocus, RAMIRO ISAURRALDE
What is the best place for an open landscape and in the air? the response may have a new post-Covid wishlist destination.
The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world has been inaugurated in Portugal. The 516-meter-long flyover hangs 176 meters south of Porto over the roaring Paiva River (in the city of Arouca, an hour south of Porto).
The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world has been inaugurated in Portugal. The 516-meter-long flyover hangs 176 meters south of Porto over the roaring Paiva River (in the city of Arouca, an hour south of Porto).
516 Arouca joins the list of innovative structures that dare to defy gravity with minimal interventions and that completely change the perception of their context such as the Tintagel Footbridge in Cornwall, the Glass Bridge in Huangchuan Three Gorges Scenic Area, the Vøringsfossen step bridge, in Norway, or the award-winning Goian Cerveira Bridge, which with a subtle curvature, joins the Portuguese and Spanish banks across the Miño River.
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Pedestrian bridge 516 Arouca. Photograph courtesy of 516 Arouca
Located in the Arouca Geopark, part of UNESCO's global network of geoparks, the new bearer of the world title is part of a series of municipal management interventions that began in 2015, with the inauguration of the Passadiços do Paiva.
The structure of the 516 Arouca rests on two large supports in the shape of an inverted A, which frame the route and contrast with its slender development. Its narrow section, less than a meter, creates a striking image of the bridge, which, at first glance, seems to be a tightrope that ties the rocky slopes of the geopark
The almost imperceptible steel cables that "close" the route, roar with the passage of the wind currents, which are coupled with the creaking of the Aguieiras waterfalls that fall towards the Paiva River.
The itinerary, of approximately 10 minutes, offers those who have the courage to cross it impressive views of the protected landscape of the Red Natura 2000, while it sways with each step of the route towards the other end.
The structure of the 516 Arouca rests on two large supports in the shape of an inverted A, which frame the route and contrast with its slender development. Its narrow section, less than a meter, creates a striking image of the bridge, which, at first glance, seems to be a tightrope that ties the rocky slopes of the geopark
The almost imperceptible steel cables that "close" the route, roar with the passage of the wind currents, which are coupled with the creaking of the Aguieiras waterfalls that fall towards the Paiva River.
The itinerary, of approximately 10 minutes, offers those who have the courage to cross it impressive views of the protected landscape of the Red Natura 2000, while it sways with each step of the route towards the other end.
More information
Project team Equipo de proyecto
Design, analysis (numerical and experimental), dimensioning and technical support.- Itecons.
Collaborators
Monitoring, supervision and inspection.- Arouca Planning and Works Division. Security tests.- LNEC.
Builder
Responsible for the construction.- Conduril. Works at height.- Outside Works.
Developer
Arouca City Council.
Area
Span.- 516 m.
Dates
Start.- 2017. Completion.- 2020. Inauguration.- 2021.
Manufacturers
Production and installation of the entire cable system.- Cordoaria Oliveira Sá.
Location
Arouca Geopark, Arouca, Aveiro, Portugal.
Budget
€2.3 million.
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