The Mondego River Bridge is part of the A17 motorway at the junction with the A14 motorway. The bridge and the access viaduct decks constitute a continuous superstructure with a total length of 1016m.
The bridge is 610.60m long and comprises two independent and parallel prestressed concrete box girder decks of varying height, cast “in situ” using the balanced cantilever method. The access viaduct, on the south side, is 405.50m long and comprises two independent and parallel prestressed concrete with open section decks of constant height. These were cast “in situ” using the span-by-span method using an upper-slung movable formwork. Both the bridge and the access viaduct decks have similar external geometries to ensure visual continuity. They are, also, structurally continuous.
The foundations are indirect at an average depth of 50m on alluvial soil. The bridge piles have diameters of 2.50m and 2.00m and 1.50m on the viaduct. The pile/pier concept, where the piers are the natural extension of the piles, was used. The decks are supported on pot-bearings.
Construction took 20 months using 7 pairs of travellers and one self-launching girder. The “Mondego” River Bridge was completed in May 2008.
