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Unique transporter bridge in the Basque Country, Spain

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Unique transporter bridge in the Basque Country, Spain

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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 11:19 PM
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Unique transporter bridge in the Basque Country, Spain

The transporter bridge of Bizkaia, in the Basque country, Spain, has been declared yesterday by the UNESCO a World Heritage Monument. It is 115 years old and runs 24/7. It is not for tourists, as it is used 99% by locals that cross to the other side of the river (from Portugalete to Getxo and viceversa).

As I´ve always said, if it were located in the US it would be known worldwide...unfortunately it is in Spain, int the BAsque Country, and it is widely ignored. The views from the top are spectacular. And the fare is just an amazing 0,26 euros...
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 11:20 PM
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www.puente-colgante.com
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 12:27 AM
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This transporter bridge is in a suburb of Bilbao and is easy to reach on the frequent local trains from Bilbao to Portugalete.
There are, I think, about half a dozen transporter bridges still working in the world. Two are in the UK, at Newport in South Wales and at Middlesbrough in North East England.
www.font.org.uk
http://picture.stockton.gov.uk/photos/t6360.aspx
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 12:53 AM
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Sorry, the web site for the Newport Transport Bridge is www.fontb.org.uk.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 01:43 AM
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The site http://www.puente-colgante.com/ingles/acta.htm reports the 2003 founding of a world transporter bridge association. This gathered people from
Newport Bridge, Warrington, England
Osten Bridge, Cuxhaven, Germany
Rendsburg Bridge, Osternfeld, North Frisia, Germany
Rochefort-sur-Mer Bridge, France
De La Boca Bridge, Buenos Asires, Argentina
Viscaya (Biscay) Transporter Bridge, Bilbao, Spain

It is clear that these great bridges are rare, but treasured.

Ben Haines, London
[email protected]

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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 03:08 AM
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The bridge in Middlesbrough was even the star of a TV series - Auf Wiedersehen Pet - and has appeared in films

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/webcams/transporter.shtml
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 03:09 AM
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List of transporter bridges

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transporter_bridge
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 03:41 AM
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THe mining area of Cornwall has also just been declared a "world heritage" site. AS I don't see it mentioned much on this board, perhaps other Fodorites would like to know that today it is sunny, 24'C, with a light breeze. All that plus history too. Perfect!
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