Gorsexio Bridge
Gorsexio Bridge
Viadotto Gorsexio
Mele, Liguria, Italy
582 feet high / 177 meters high
472 foot span / 144 meter span
1977
Located about 10 miles (16 kms) west of Genoa, Italy, the gargantuan Gorsexio viaduct is near the mediterranean coast at the southernmost end of the A26 Autostrada dei Trafori. Translated as the Highway of Tunnels, there are more than 20 on just the first 15 miles (24 km) north of the coast. The 4-lane highway also passes over several other high viaducts on its journey north to Alessandria and eventually into the Italian Alps.
The Gorsexio Bridge is most notable for having the fourth highest pier of any bridge in Europe. At the time of its completion in 1977 it was tied with Italy’s Viadotto Sente for having the world’s highest pier. The record lasted for two years until Germany’s Kochertal Viaduct opened in 1979.
Gorsexio’s bulky central tower rises 541 feet (165 meters) from the ground to the underside of the concrete beams. At the 400 foot (122 meter) level, the pier divides into two and rises the last 141 feet (43 meters) with only 2 of the 4 box walls. The transition between the two pier levels is a bit jarring but the open “windows” of the upper level bring a welcome lightness to the structure. The 5 main piers carry three central spans of 472 feet (144 meters) plus 3 smaller side spans of 276 feet (84 meters), 295 feet (90 meters) and 217 feet (66 meters).
Sente Bridge satellite view.
