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Coordinates: 10°34′27.38″N 71°34′33.73″W / 10.5742722°N 71.5760361°W / 10.5742722; -71.5760361
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{{short description|Bridge in Venezuela}}
{{short description|Bridge in Venezuela}}
{{Expand Spanish|Puente General Rafael Urdaneta|date=August 2012}}
{{Expand Spanish|topic=struct|Puente General Rafael Urdaneta|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox Bridge
{{Infobox Bridge
|bridge_name = General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge
|bridge_name = General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge
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}}
}}


The '''General En Jefe Rafael Urdaneta Bridge''' is located at the Tablazo Strait outlet of [[Lake Maracaibo]], in western [[Venezuela]]. The bridge connects [[Maracaibo]] with much of the rest of the country. It is named after [[General]] [[Rafael Urdaneta]], a Venezuelan hero of [[Independence Day (Venezuela)|Independence]].
The '''General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge''' is located at the Tablazo Strait outlet of [[Lake Maracaibo]], in western [[Venezuela]]. The bridge connects [[Maracaibo]] with much of the rest of the country. It is named after [[General]] [[Rafael Urdaneta]], a Venezuelan hero of [[Independence Day (Venezuela)|Independence]] who was born in Maracaibo.


== Design and construction ==
== Design and construction ==
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Made of [[reinforced concrete|reinforced]] and [[prestressed concrete]], the [[cable-stayed bridge]] spans {{convert|8.678|km|mi}} from shore to shore. The five main spans are each {{convert|235|m}} long.<ref name="Virlogeux">Virlogeux, p.61</ref> They are supported from {{convert|92|m|adj=on}} tall towers, and provide {{convert|46|m}} of clearance to the water below.<ref name="Dupré">Dupré, p. 91</ref> The bridge carries only vehicles.
Made of [[reinforced concrete|reinforced]] and [[prestressed concrete]], the [[cable-stayed bridge]] spans {{convert|8.678|km|mi}} from shore to shore. The five main spans are each {{convert|235|m}} long.<ref name="Virlogeux">Virlogeux, p.61</ref> They are supported from {{convert|92|m|adj=on}} tall towers, and provide {{convert|46|m}} of clearance to the water below.<ref name="Dupré">Dupré, p. 91</ref> The bridge carries only vehicles.


The competition to design the bridge started in 1957 and was won by [[Riccardo Morandi]], an Italian civil engineer. Morandi's was the only concrete design out of twelve entries, and was expected to be less expensive to maintain, as well as providing valuable experience of prestressed concrete technology for Venezuela.<ref name="Dupré"/> Construction was carried out by several companies, including [[Grün & Bilfinger]], [[Julius Berger Tiefbau AG|Julius Berger]], [[Bauboag AG]], [[Philipp Holzmann AG]], [[Precomprimido C.A.]], [[Wayss & Freytag]] and K Ingeniería.
The competition to design the bridge started in 1957 and was won by [[Juan Francisco Otaola Pavan]] and his partner [[Oscar Benedetti]], Venezuelan civil engineers and owners of [[Precomprimido C.A.]], with the design of [[Riccardo Morandi]], an Italian civil engineer. While Morandi designed the bridge, it was Otaola and Benedetti who made the structural and budget calculations, which in part with Otaola's demand for the project to be done by at least 50% of Venezuelan companies and workforce, secured the winning bid for the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdBs6sZ-5-g}}</ref> Precomprimido's was the only concrete design out of twelve entries, and was expected to be less expensive to maintain, as well as providing valuable experience of prestressed concrete technology for Venezuela.<ref name="Dupré"/> Precomprimido's construction was aided by several international companies, primarily [[Julius Berger Tiefbau AG|Julius Berger]] as well as [[Grün & Bilfinger]], [[Bauboag AG]], [[Philipp Holzmann AG]], [[Wayss & Freytag]] and K Ingeniería.


According to eminent bridge engineer [[Michel Virlogeux]]:<ref name="Virlogeux"/>
According to eminent bridge engineer [[Michel Virlogeux]]:<ref name="Virlogeux"/>


<blockquote>the Lake Maracaibo Bridge deserves to be part of the series of the most famous bridges over the world, with the [[Golden Gate Bridge]], the bridge over the [[Forth Rail Bridge|Firth of Forth]], the [[Brooklyn Bridge]], and the [[Garabit Viaduct]].</blockquote>
<blockquote>the Lake Maracaibo Bridge deserves to be part of the series of the most famous bridges over the world, with the [[Golden Gate Bridge]], the bridge over the [[Forth Rail Bridge|Firth of Forth]], the [[Brooklyn Bridge]], and the [[Garabit Viaduct]].</blockquote>
[[File:Puente y lago de maracaibo recorte.JPG|center|thumb|600x600px|General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge panoramic]]

[[Image:Panoramica del Puente sobre el Lago de Maracaibo.JPG|General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge panoramic|600px|thumb|centre]]


== History ==
== History ==
It was opened on 24 August 1962 by the then-president of Venezuela [[Romulo Betancourt]].
It was opened on 24 August 1962 by the then-president of Venezuela [[Romulo Betancourt]].


In April 1964, parts of the bridge collapsed after a collision with the [[tank ship|tanker]] [[SS Esso_Maracaibo|''Esso Maracaibo'']], causing the deaths of seven people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aukevisser.nl/others/id1337.htm|title=The collison between "Esso Maracaibo" & the Bridge|website=Auke Visser's Other Esso Related Tankers Site|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref>
In April 1964, parts of the bridge collapsed after a collision with the [[tank ship|tanker]] [[SS Esso_Maracaibo|''Esso Maracaibo'']], causing the deaths of seven people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aukevisser.nl/others/id1337.htm|title=The collision between "Esso Maracaibo" & the Bridge|website=Auke Visser's Other Esso Related Tankers Site|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref>


The construction of a second cable-stayed bridge has been proposed since 1982, with a series of studies made since 2000. The cost of the new bridge has been estimated at US$440m, to be largely privately financed via tolls.<!-- ref>link no longer works[http://www.comlago.com.ve/proyectos/swf-nuevopuente-en.html]</ref -->
The construction of a second cable-stayed bridge has been proposed since 1982, with a series of studies made since 2000. The cost of the new bridge has been estimated at US$440m, to be largely privately financed via tolls.<!-- ref>link no longer works[http://www.comlago.com.ve/proyectos/swf-nuevopuente-en.html]</ref -->


The bridge's structural integrity received heightened concern after the August 2018 collapse of a stayed pier on a similar bridge, [[Ponte Morandi]] in [[Genoa, Italy]].
The bridge's structural integrity received heightened concern after the August 2018 collapse of a stayed pier on a similar bridge, [[Ponte Morandi]] in [[Genoa, Italy]].
[[File:Puente Sobreel Lago Maracaibo (24823392610).jpg|thumb|Commemorative Stamp]]


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080409145924/http://www.puentesobreellago.org.ve/ General Rafael Urdaneta Website in spanish]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080409145924/http://www.puentesobreellago.org.ve/ General Rafael Urdaneta Website in spanish]
* {{Structurae|id=20015182|title=Second Lake Maracaibo Bridge}}
* {{Structurae|id=20015182|title=Second Lake Maracaibo Bridge}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdBs6sZ-5-g]
* [http://www.venezuelatuya.com/occidente/maracaiboeng.htm Info on Maracaibo including the bridge]
* [http://www.venezuelatuya.com/occidente/maracaiboeng.htm Info on Maracaibo including the bridge]
* [http://www.aukevisser.nl/others/id384.htm Esso Maracaibo website]
* [http://www.aukevisser.nl/others/id384.htm Esso Maracaibo website]

Latest revision as of 22:01, 13 November 2024

General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge
Coordinates10°34′27.38″N 71°34′33.73″W / 10.5742722°N 71.5760361°W / 10.5742722; -71.5760361
Carriesvehicles
CrossesTablazo Strait
LocaleMaracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela[1]
Characteristics
DesignCable-stayed bridge[1]
MaterialReinforced concrete[1]
Total length8.7 kilometres (5.4 mi)[1]
Height86.6 metres (284 ft)[1]
Longest span235 metres (771 ft) x 5
No. of spans135
History
DesignerRiccardo Morandi
Construction start1958[1]
Construction end1962[1]
Construction costBs. 350 million[2]
Location
Map

The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located at the Tablazo Strait outlet of Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. The bridge connects Maracaibo with much of the rest of the country. It is named after General Rafael Urdaneta, a Venezuelan hero of Independence who was born in Maracaibo.

Design and construction

[edit]

Made of reinforced and prestressed concrete, the cable-stayed bridge spans 8.678 kilometres (5.392 mi) from shore to shore. The five main spans are each 235 metres (771 ft) long.[3] They are supported from 92-metre (302 ft) tall towers, and provide 46 metres (151 ft) of clearance to the water below.[4] The bridge carries only vehicles.

The competition to design the bridge started in 1957 and was won by Juan Francisco Otaola Pavan and his partner Oscar Benedetti, Venezuelan civil engineers and owners of Precomprimido C.A., with the design of Riccardo Morandi, an Italian civil engineer. While Morandi designed the bridge, it was Otaola and Benedetti who made the structural and budget calculations, which in part with Otaola's demand for the project to be done by at least 50% of Venezuelan companies and workforce, secured the winning bid for the Venezuelan government.[5] Precomprimido's was the only concrete design out of twelve entries, and was expected to be less expensive to maintain, as well as providing valuable experience of prestressed concrete technology for Venezuela.[4] Precomprimido's construction was aided by several international companies, primarily Julius Berger as well as Grün & Bilfinger, Bauboag AG, Philipp Holzmann AG, Wayss & Freytag and K Ingeniería.

According to eminent bridge engineer Michel Virlogeux:[3]

the Lake Maracaibo Bridge deserves to be part of the series of the most famous bridges over the world, with the Golden Gate Bridge, the bridge over the Firth of Forth, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Garabit Viaduct.

General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge panoramic

History

[edit]

It was opened on 24 August 1962 by the then-president of Venezuela Romulo Betancourt.

In April 1964, parts of the bridge collapsed after a collision with the tanker Esso Maracaibo, causing the deaths of seven people.[6]

The construction of a second cable-stayed bridge has been proposed since 1982, with a series of studies made since 2000. The cost of the new bridge has been estimated at US$440m, to be largely privately financed via tolls.

The bridge's structural integrity received heightened concern after the August 2018 collapse of a stayed pier on a similar bridge, Ponte Morandi in Genoa, Italy.

Commemorative Stamp

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  • Dupré, Judith: "Bridges", Könemann, 1998, ISBN 3-8290-0408-7
  • Virlogeux, Michel: "Bridges with Multiple Cable Stayed Spans", Structural Engineering International, 1/2001

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Maracaibo Bridge at Structurae
  2. ^ Venezuela Tuya - Maracaibo, retrieved 6 August 2014
  3. ^ a b Virlogeux, p.61
  4. ^ a b Dupré, p. 91
  5. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdBs6sZ-5-g. {{cite AV media}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ "The collision between "Esso Maracaibo" & the Bridge". Auke Visser's Other Esso Related Tankers Site. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
[edit]