The Chaban Delmas Bridge

Since 2012, a new bridge spans the Garonne River in Bordeaux, connecting the Bacalan and Bastide districts, notable for its elegant shape and modern technical solutions.
The bridge is dominated by four tall reinforced concrete pylons, between which the entire central span is raised when necessary using cables and pulleys inside the pylons. In front of the pylons, cylindrical reinforced concrete caissons filled with aggregate protrude from the river, protecting the bridge from ship impacts. The body of the bridge is slim and relatively wide, as it accommodates 6 lanes of traffic side by side. Pedestrian walkways on the sides are clearly separated from vehicular traffic. An interesting addition is the observation benches placed at the pylons, inviting visitors to the bridge as a resting place.
At night, it resembles an intergalactic port. Behind the pylons, greenish-blue lights flicker, promising a journey to the edge of the solar system, symbolizing the future of transportation technologies.

Technical details:
Length: 433 m (raised span 117 m)
Lift: within 11 minutes to a height of 53 m
Layout: 4 lanes for private traffic, 2 lanes for city buses, pedestrian walkways on both sides