Tsakona Arch Bridge

The Tsakona Arch Bridge (Greek: Τοξωτή Γέφυρα Τσακώνας) is one of the world's longest multi-span arch bridges. It crosses the Tsakona Valley and it spans a dangerous location near Megalopoli, where in the last decades, there have been many landslides.[1][2][3]

Tsakona Arch Bridge
Τοξωτή Γέφυρα Τσακώνας
Coordinates 37°18′N 22°02′E
Carries4 lanes of Moreas Motorway (E65)
CrossesTsakona Valley
LocaleTsakona & Paradiseia, near Megalopoli, Greece
OwnerGreek State
Maintained byMoreas SA, J/V ALPINE BAU-ΤΕRNA SA
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
Total length490 meters (1,610 ft)
Width27 meters (89 ft)
Longest span300 meters (980 ft)
History
OpenedFebruary 28, 2016 (2016-02-28)

Construction

The Tsakona Arch Bridge, with a length of 490 meters,[1] was the last work that remained for the section Paradeisia – Tsakona axis Tripolis – Kalamata to be completed (made by the State and will be delivered to the consortium Moreas). As stated in the "Courage" by the project leader Nikos Donas, this bridge was one of the most difficult engineering projects, after the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge. The project's cost was budgeted at €94 million but there were significant cost overruns. This was due largely to the complexity of building in the very challenging and unstable geologic conditions at the site. The original studies made for construction of the bridge had also underestimated the challenges associated with construction, this also caused budget and time overruns. As a result, the total cost finished at €131.5 million.[4]

The bridge is supported at three points: one at each end (abutments) and one that is closer to the top of the pier. This last is the most important: it is basically a giant 'prefab', which ensures the stability of the bridge. From the pier starts the arch of the bridge, with a maximum height of 30 meters. The two arches, one on each side, support the metal part of the bridge on which the road is located.[5]

Its construction started in 2008[1] and was opened for traffic in January 2016.

References
  1. Tsakona Bridge Τ4 Domi S.A.
  2. One of the World's Largest Arch Bridges Built in Greece, By Ioanna Zikakou, Aug 30, 2014, GreekReporter.com
  3. Tsakona Bridge 2nd Largest in Greece to Open Shortly, By Toni Aravadinos, Dec 17, 2015, GreekReporter.com
  4. "Εντυπωσιάζει η γέφυρα της Τσακώνας | Ελλάδα | Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ". Kathimerini.gr. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 September 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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