The Vizcaya Bridge, Spain has been enlisted in the world heritage list. The Vizcaya Bridge is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas in the Biscay province of Spain. Vizcaya Bridge, Spain is constructed on the Nervion River.
The Vizcaya Bridge of Spain is actually a transporter bridge, which is different in structure from a suspension bridge. The bridge is the world’s oldest transporter bridge and was built in the year 1893. Vizcaya Bridge, Spain was designed by Alberto Palacio, one of Gustave Eiffel’s disciples.
Vizcaya Bridge, Spain was made because of the problem of connecting the 2 towns without disrupting the maritime traffic of the Port of Bilbao and without having to build a massive structure with long ramps. During the Spanish Civil War, Alberto Palacio could see how his master work was partially destroyed just before his own death.
It was on July 13th 2006, the Vizcaya Bridge, Spain was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The bridge is still in use and is 164 meters long. Vizcaya Bridge includes a gondola that can transport 6 cars and several dozens of passengers in 1 minute and a half.
The Vizcaya Bridge operates every 8 minutes, 24 hours on all days of the year. The bridge is integrated into Bilbao’s Creditrans transport system. Two new visitors’ lifts were installed in the 50 meter high pillars of the Vizcaya Bridge, Spain. The lifts would allow the visitors to walk over the bridge and see the port and the Abra bay.