Tarn River Bridge
 

On tonight's "Le Journal" French TV News, it was reported that the opposite ends of this majestic bridge have now been finally brought together, using GPS. Amazing!

After many years of construction, it will open Dec 17, completing the A75. Has anyone seen it being built?

You must mean the Millau Viaduct. It was supposedly to be completd in 2005. Millau is Bové's home town. This project was privately financed and to connect Paris to the Barcelona motorway.
We didn't see myuch as we were redirected on the roads.

Millau, yes - it'll cost 6E and no doubt save quite a bit of time bypassing Millau.

Hi

Beware that the bridge is not yet open, and the ongoing roadworks in Lodeve have further slowed traffic.

I made a rapid dash to the outlaws in the Loire valley this week.

It is 650kms, and I reckon on 6 to 6.5 hrs out of season.

On Monday morning it took 5 hrs to reach the A75 on the other side of Millau : a distance of 140 kms ! and 10 hrs in total.

Last night, I timed it better and arrived at Millau around 22.30 which gave a total journey time of 7 hrs. We were delayed a little by rain and emptying the dog.

There were spectacular lightning strikes which seemed to be over the Cevennes ?

Once this road is finished, it will be a very good route to Paris.

Peter

6.5 hours from where to where?

I saw it in April, when it looked as though only a relatively small (and it really is relative, the thing is HUGE!) middle section was missing. It's definitely one of the most amazing feats of engineering I've ever witnessed. It was horrifically slow going around it on the A75 at the time, though, with major backups and construction everywhere. When it's finally opened up, it'll be a great drive.

Hi

"Message: 6.5 hours from where to where?"

Nr Nimes to Nr Blois.

Peter

Hi

For anyone going this way over this winter : it will be opened during December 2004.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Very impressive and very scary. I hope never to be on the bridge when the winds kick up! And I hope it is well guarded against terrorists--what a perfect target :-(

Oh BTilke, that is a horrifying thought! Hasn't life gotten weird? The thoughts we have. Rather like after Sept. 11th all the concern about the Golden Gate Bridge. Well lets all pray nothing like this happens.

Safe travels everyone.

Well, on a happier note, how soon do you think the bridge will appear in a major movie? I bet on it shows up somehow in the next James Bond flick. Or some Tom Cruise adventure movie, like a Mission Impossible sequel (if there's going to be one).