The Conchi viaduct, or Loa viaduct, is located on the Loa River in Chile, 68 kilometres (42 mi) from Calama. It was built to carry part of the Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia (Antofagasta & Bolivia Railway). It stands 103 metres (338 ft) above the river and is 244 metres (801 ft) long. When opened in 1888 and it was the second highest rail bridge in the world, after the Garabit viaduct.

Conchi Viaduct

Viaducto de Conchi
Coordinates22°01′56″S 68°37′15″W / 22.0322°S 68.6209°W / -22.0322; -68.6209
Carriespipes, road
CrossesRio Loa
LocaleEl Loa province, Antofagasta region
Characteristics
DesignTrestle bridge
MaterialSteel
Total length244 metres (801 ft)
Height102 m (335 ft)
History
Engineering design byEdward Woods
Construction start1886
Construction end1888
Designated29 May 2015
Location
Map

In 1914, the railway was realigned. Today, the bridge carries only pipes and a cordoned-off road.[1]

On June 3, 2015, it was declared a National Monument, in the category of Historical Monument, by Decree 156 of the Ministry of Education, published in the Chilean Official Journal.[2]

References

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