Infante Dom Henrique Bridge
Bridge in Porto, between the City of Porto proper and Vila Nova de Gaia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
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| Coordinates | 41°8′28″N 8°36′6″W |
| Carries | Av. Dom João II |
| Crosses | Rio Douro |
| Locale | Porto, between the City of Porto proper and Vila Nova de Gaia |
| Named for | Prince Henry the Navigator |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Reinforced concrete |
| Total length | 371 metres (1,217 ft) |
| Width | 20 metres (66 ft) |
| Height | 75 metres (246 ft) |
| Longest span | 280 metres (920 ft) |
| History | |
| Architect | Adão da Fonseca |
Engineering design by | IDEAM |
| Opened | March 30, 2003 |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Infante Dom Henrique Bridge | |
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]