The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern

France. Designed by the French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster, it is the tallest bridge in the world with one mast's summit at 343.0 meters above the base of the structure. It is also the 12th highest bridge in the world, with a 270 meters drop from the bridge road to the valley below. The 2460 meters long bridge is a stunning architectural and design feat. And it is beautiful to look at as well. The bridge was opened in 2004 to close the "missing link" on the A75 autoroute that connects Paris in the north to Perpignan in the south; the Millau Viaduct was the result of 17 years of ideas, proposals, and design that resulted in shaving 37 miles off the former route through the region. But rather than choose a mundane design that simply did the job, the French went big. The first plans were discussed in 1987 and by October 1991 the decision was made to build a high crossing of the Tarn River. In late 2001, the first stone was laid. By spring 2002, the first piers of the Millau Viaduct were rising skywards. At the same time, the anchorage points of the deck (the abutments) were appearing. A few weeks were all it took to carry out the earthworks. Twelve months after the work began, the pier "P2" went higher than 328 feet. A year later, on December 9, 2003, the concrete work was completed on time and the record for the tallest pier in the world was set at 804 feet. The first work on the steel deck of the bridge commenced in the summer of 2002, and on March 25, 2003, the first deck section, which was 561 feet long, was driven out into open space. Seventeen others followed suit, at an average rate of one rolling out every four weeks. And on May 28, 2004, the joining of the north and south sections of the deck took place. On 28 May 2004, at exactly 2:12 p.m., the junction--or "clavage"--of the north and south sections of the deck took place 886 feet above the River Tarn. The rest of the bridge's construction went swiftly. Just 24 hours after the junction of the two sections, the first installation of the towers began, followed quickly by the addition of 154 stays intended to support the bridge's deck. By the end of September 2004, the deck's surface was laid. And on December 16, 2004, the first traffic crossed the Millau Viaduct. The bridge's construction cost up to 394 million, with a toll plaza 6 km north of the viaduct costing an additional 20 million. The builders, Eiffage, financed the construction in return for a concession to collect the tolls for 75 years, until 2080. However, if the concession is very profitable, the French government can assume control of the bridge in 2044. The project required about 127,000 cubic meters of concrete, 19,000 tonnes of steel for the reinforced concrete and 5,000 tonnes of pre-stressed steel for the cables and shrouds.

Millau Viaduct Facts The incredible Millau Viaduct bridge was opened in December 2004 and is the highest bridge in the world, standing 270 meters (890 feet) over the Tarn River and is more than 340 meters (1,125 feet) in height at the top of its highest mast. It is slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris and only 38 meters (125 ft) shorter than the Empire State Building. It is a cable-stayed road bridge designed by engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster. It cost approximately 400 million to complete the Millau Viaduct. Millau Viaduct Location
The Millau Viaduct is part of the A75-A71 Autoroute (Motorway / Freeway) from Paris to Montpellier, and is located in the Aveyron dpartment in southern France 125 km (78 miles) north-west of Montpellier (approx. 1 1/2 hours drive). One of the best places from which to view the bridge is the Service Area on the northern side of the bridge off the A75 motorway. The climb to the viewing platform is a little strenuous but very worthwhile and don't forget to bring your camera! Also it can be quite windy at the viewing area so bring appropriate clothing and a tripod for your camera to ensure a steady shot. The official visitor centre at the base of the bridge (on the D992 road) gives a completely different perspective on the Millau Viaduct and is where you can truly appreciate the full height of the towers. The Millau Viaduct toll charge to cross the bridge is 5.60 for cars, rising to 7.40 during the peak summer months of July and August. You cannot walk across the bridge as it part of the motorway system. Even though it is the tallest bridge in the world, crossing it is not a problem for people who suffer from vertigo. This is because passengers cannot look down from the bridge as the vehicle roadway is kept a good distance from the edge of the bridge platform. Millau Viaduct

Construction
The Millau Viaduct bridge was conceived as a means to alleviate traffic congestion, as every year kilometers-long traffic jams would form as tourists made their way south during summer, descending the valley into the town of Millau which became a notorious bottleneck on the A75 autoroute. Construction in this area is difficult as the region is known for high winds and the valley is very deep, resulting in an extended period of research and planning, investigating various potential routes, and taking 10 years before construction began on the Millau Viaduct. A competition was established to elicit the best solution and in July 1996 the design of a cable-stayed bridge by Foster & Partners was awarded. After a few modifications the final design for the Millau Viaduct was approved in 1998 and an international call for tenders made in 1999. The primary contract was won by Compagnie Eiffage du Viaduc de Millau and construction began in October 2001, finishing in December 2004.

Local Attractions
The Millau Viaduct Information Centre is located in the small village of Cazalous at the base of the bridge on the RD 992 between Albi and Millau, and is well worth a visit particularly as admission is free. It opens daily at 10am, and closes at 7pm in summer and 5pm in winter. In addition to the souvenir shop at the Cazalous visitor centre there is also one at the Brocujouls A75 motorway service station situated

between exits 45 and 46, which sells some excellent books and photos of the Millau Viaduct, plus viaduct-themed souvenirs such as pens, mugs and placemats. Millau itself is home to a number of interesting attractions such as the Glove Museum, the botanical garden "Jardin Botanique des Causses" and the Micropolis "City of Insects". This charming town also has some attractive architecture centered around the 12th century Place du Marchal Foch including ancient arcades, beautiful frescoes in the Notre Dame de l'Espinasse church and the Belfry, a 12th century square tower. And of course everywhere there are views of the magnificent Millau Viaduct. A number of annual festivals and events are held in Millau and the surrounding region, including a Jazz festival "Millau en Jazz", Festival a Millau, the Cardabelles Car Rally and the Mineral Fair. A visit to the Millau Viaduct is also an opportunity to enjoy other nearby places of interest, such as the underground caves where the famous Roquefort cheese is produced. Make sure you try some of this pungent delicacy fresh from the region where it is created. Only 2km from Millau are the remains ofCondatomagus, a center for Roman pottery which produced terracotta items with a distinctive red glaze. The region of Lozre is also home to the spectacular Tarn gorge, an area of outstanding natural beauty over 80 km in length and famous for its sheer cliffs up to 500 meters high, and where activity holidays such as hiking and kayaking are extremely popular.

Airbus A380

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Dreamliner travels the same distance as the A380 at the same speed but carries half the passengers. The airliner's $10 billion development suffered from more than two years of delays, costing the company orders and credibility. Regardless, the versatility of Boeing's airplane has interested a steady stream of buyers. The Dreamliner's small size, quick flight-turnaround times and fuel economy account for its sales advantage over the A380. With a maiden flight under its belt in December 2009 and a crucial wing test passed in March, Boeing could deliver its first 787 by the end of this year.