Every French person knows of the round called “Sur le pont d’Avignon”. 25 km from Avignon is the Pont du Gard, the highest Roman aqueduct in the world. Less ancient, the Pont de Tancarville is a suspension bridge that crosses the estuary of the Seine. However, the most recent bridges are cable-stayed bridges, which are not held up by cables connected to each bank but by pillars, usually in the center.
The Rama VIII Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Its originality lies in its asymmetrical design, with a single inverted Y-shaped pylon on the west bank of the river.
The Millau Viaduct, inaugurated two years after the Rama VIII Bridge in 2004, is the highest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It is even higher than the Eiffel Tower !
It can be said that bridges symbolize the coming together of people and it is no coincidence that many are called Peace Bridges, Brotherhood Bridges or Concord Bridges. In Thailand, there are no less than 4 bridges called Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges. And let’s not forget also the seven imaginary bridges of different colors and periods that adorn the euro banknotes.
Andy MONTIAS, 4eme A