Millau Viaduct, France - The world’s highest bridge
Enerpac Hydraulics Successfully Close Last Gap |
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Millau - The Highest Bridge |
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The last hydraulic launch on the Millau Viaduct has taken place and closed the remaining gap in this bridge connecting the North and South valley of the river Tarn near Millau, France. The new bridge creates the most direct and efficient route between Paris and the Mediterranean coast, and is scheduled to open in January 2005.Since the first hydraulic launch of the bridge’s deck in February 2003, another 18 launches from both the North and South sides of the valley were needed to move the deck the 2,460 meters to cross the Tarn valley. Each of the seven piers and seven temporary piers were equipped with Enerpac high-pressure hydraulic launching devices to move the 36,000 tons of steel.
The Millau Viaduct, designed by the English architect Lord Norman Foster, is now the highest bridge in the world at 343 meters. The search for an aesthetic construction led Michel Virlogeux to adopt the principle of a multi-stayed viaduct, consisting of slender soaring pillars and a very light deck, just touching the valley at only seven points. Eiffage, the French-based construction company, was selected to carry out this project combining the techniques of concrete with those of steel. Enerpac provided the integrated solutions to lift the temporary piers needed for additional stability, and the launching of the 2.5 km steel deck.
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| Deck is Closed |
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23 metres higher then the Eiffel Tower |
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