Infante Dom Henrique Bridge

The Infante Dom Henrique Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte Infante Dom Henrique), commonly known as Infante Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte do Infante), is a road bridge across the Douro River in Greater Porto, Portugal. The bridge is upriver from the Dom Luís I Bridge and downriver from the Maria Pia Bridge.

Infante Dom Henrique Bridge

Ponte Infante Dom Henrique
Coordinates41°8′28″N 8°36′6″W / 41.14111°N 8.60167°W / 41.14111; -8.60167
CarriesAv. Dom João II
CrossesRio Douro
LocalePorto, between the City of Porto proper and Vila Nova de Gaia
Named forPrince Henry the Navigator
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
MaterialReinforced concrete
Total length371 metres (1,217 ft)
Width20 metres (66 ft)
Height75 metres (246 ft)
Longest span280 metres (920 ft)
History
ArchitectAdão da Fonseca
Engineering design byIDEAM
OpenedMarch 30, 2003
Location
Map

Completed in 2003, the Infante Bridge carries vehicle and pedestrian traffic from Vila Nova de Gaia to Central Porto. The bridge was constructed as a replacement for the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge that was closed to vehicle traffic in 2003 to allow for its conversion to the D Line of the Porto Metro.[1]

The bridge has a total length of 371 metres (1,217 ft) and an arch span of 280 metres (920 ft).[2] The bridge's height is 75 m (246 ft) above the Douro River, but the height of the arch is only 25 m (82 ft) above its foundations in the riverside cliffs. Inspired by the alpine Maillart bridges, the Infante Bridge's arch is one of the shallowest in the world as a ratio of rise from base over length.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Infante Bridge". HelloGuide Oporto. WEBMOMENT. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Infante D. Henrique Bridge". Structurae. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. ^ Adão-da-Fonseca, António; Millanes Mato, Francisco (May 2005). "Infant Henrique Bridge over the River Douro, Porto". Structural Engineering International. 15 (2): 85. doi:10.2749/101686605777963251. S2CID 111185970. Retrieved 13 April 2020.