15/05/2008

#137 - Ponte Vasco da Gama


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


This newest bridge in Lisbon, Ponte Vasco da Gama, enables north-south traffic to bypass the Portuguese capital and was built as an alternative route to the 25 de Abril Bridge, frequently congested with traffic jams especially during the rush-hour periods.

This seemingly never-ending bridge is a Cable-stayed bridge. The builders took special steps to protect a local bird sanctuary and rehoused 300 families, who were living in slums, to much better accommodation

Vasco da Gama is the largest bridge in Europe with a length of 17.2 km (10 miles), 10 km of which are over the Tagus river. It was inaugurated on the 4th of April 1998. Located right next to the Nations Park (former site of the Expo 98) it got its name on the same year of the 5th centenary of the arrival of Vasco da Gama to India.

The bridge was designed to withstand an earthquake four times greater than the 1755 earthquake that devastated Lisbon. [*]

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a fantastic bridge. I can't imagine how large it must be but it looks bigger than a mountain to me.

Nice photography.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Maria: Those are some imposing views of a great bridge. The cable structure is really special.

Michele said...

WOW.... what a massive bridge!!! Took a second for my computer to take it in but when it did... WOW... very nice.
Rocky Mountain Retreat

Champ Townboy said...

Awesome bridge, gorgeous photos, incredible point of view!!!

Amazing!

Muito bom!!

Carletta said...

Stunning photos!

SandyCarlson said...

That looks as sturdy as you say it is yet it is so graceful. Your photos are lovely.

dot said...

What a fantastic bridge! I hope it can really stand up to the earthquakes.

Tom said...

I love these bridges, can you imagine first coming up with this idea and then getting it started.. the pictures are perfect for Sky Watch as well.

Anonymous said...

Very Cool

Neva said...

That is one huge bridge...for a minute I thought is was the Bay Bridge in San Francisco...good thing it can withstand an earthquake!.....I guess I was not aware of earthquakes in Lisbon....the things I learn blogging!

Scotty Graham said...

Glad to know you didn't crash your car while taking these photos....I Hope you had a driver...great perspective...makes me feel like I am there.

Rachel E. Adams said...

What a gorgeous bridge! I love how you include such big shots and several of them. Every day I watch a similar bridge growing over the harbor. They've strung a few cables for each side.

Nova said...

amazing bridge and sky capture.. i got dizzy while scrolling down your page with your taken photo....


great one...

Anonymous said...

Essa ponte é, para além de enorme, muita bela.
Um prodígio de engenharia e um excelente cenário fotografico!

Anonymous said...

first time here. you have a very interesting blog and very beautiful shots. well done

Inkivääri said...

Fabulous!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Very beautiful and impressive this bridge Ponte Vasco da Gama. Great and stunning photos! Well done!

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

ESPECTACULAR, PARABÉNS!!!!!!

(quanto aos comentários: não é complicado... O «dia-a-dia» dele é que é! É como o meu! E, presumo, como o teu!!! LOL!!!

Está-se a estrear nestas andanças blogosferas, muito úteis para deixar desabafos encapotados... Beijinhos!!!

Quando houver um navio barato aviso-te e embarcamos as duas e mais alguém que queira. Por mim, embarcava já num porta-contentores rumo a Singapura!!!!

imac said...

Certainly Bridged that gap.great post.

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

Informação sobre ginástica gratuita na Praia do Tamariz em:

http://www.cm-cascais.pt/Cascais/Viver/Desporto/Cascais_Activo_Todos/GinPraia.htm

APARECE!! TRAZ O BIKINI!

LiseH said...

Wow!
Magnificent photos!

Petunia said...

Nice x 2 :)

Petunia's SWF

Daniel J Santos said...

Muito bonita a perspectiva de uma bela ponte, magnifico.

Unknown said...

Those are some awesome views of a great bridge. Well done.

Lilli & Nevada said...

wonderful photos

Ramosforest.Environment said...

Linda Lisboa. Bela arquitetura.Incríveis fotografias.

BuJ said...

i love bridges! thanks for sharing!