The official shop of the Millau viaduct
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The viaduct
High technology, high performance, design, safety, finesse…work of art – all these words describe the Giant rising 270m above the river Tarn, linking the Causse Rouge to the Causse of the Larzac.
The different stages in its construction:
- 1991: Preliminary studies by government engineers.
- 1996: Multi cable-stayed design chosen.
- 14 December 2001: JC Gayssot, Minister of Transport, lays the first stone.
- 2002: Earthworks, foundations.
- 25 February 2003: First launching of the deck from the southern end.
- 20 November 2003: End of construction of the 7 pillars.
- 28 May 2004: Junction of the two parts of the deck.
- 2004: Erection of the 7 steel pylons above the deck, tensioning of the cable-stays, reliability testing.
- 14 December 2004: Inauguration of the viaduct by Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic.
- 16 December 2004: The viaduct opens to traffic.
A few key numbers:
- Height of the deck: 270m above the Tarn.
- Height of the summit of the pylons: 343m.
- Number of pillars: 7.
- Height of the tallest pillar: 245m.
- Total length: 2,460m.
- Slope: Approximately 3%.
- 36,000 tonnes of steel framework.
- 205,000 tonnes of concrete.
