Vizcaya Bridge

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Vizcaya Transporter Bridge, commonly called "Puente Colgante"

Closeup of the gondola.

A large ship crossing under the bridge

The Vizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia - Puente de Vizcaya), commonly named Puente Colgante,is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Getxo in the Biscay province of Spain, crossing the mouth of the Nervion River.

[edit] History

It is the world's oldest transporter bridge and was built in 1893, designed by Alberto Palacio, one of Gustave Eiffel's disciples. It was the solution given by the engineer to the problem of connecting the two towns without disrupting the maritime traffic of the Port of Bilbao and without having to build a massive structure with long ramps. The service was only interrupted four years during the Spanish Civil War, when the upper section was dynamited, from his house in Portugalete Alberto Palacio could see how his master work was partially destroyed just before his own death.

On July 13th of 2006 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

[edit] Operation

The bridge, still in use, is 164 meters long and its gondola can transport six cars and several dozens of passengers in one minute and a half. It operates from 05:00 to 22:00 every 8 minutes all year round and is integrated into Bilbao's transport system, the same ticket used for the underground and bus systems can be used to cross the bridge. There is a new touristic lift installed in the 50 meter high pillars of the bridge that allows to walk over the bridge's platform, from where the tourists can see the port and the bay.