In the Port of Monfalcone, the loading operations for the new Anne de Bretagne Bridge, destined for the city of Nantes (Loire-Atlantique, France), were carried out. The metallic structure, manufactured by Cimolai S.p.A., arrived at the dock after a careful approach maneuver from the company’s plant, to be subsequently loaded onto the barge that will set sail for France.
The main element weighs approximately 2,000 tons, to which more than 1,000 tons of provisional structures are added, reaching a total of about 3,000 tons loaded onto the vessel, not counting the weight of the transport vehicles used.
The work, commissioned by Nantes Métropole, is part of a larger urban transformation and sustainable mobility project. The new bridge is designed to triple the width of the current crossing, from 18 to 61 meters. It will accommodate vehicles, two tram lines, and a garden-viewpoint, configuring itself as a true suspended square over the Loire River.
The project stems from an international collaboration between public and private entities, with Nantes Métropole as the promoting entity, along with the technical support of Systra, Barriquand & Frydlender, Cerema, and Cabinet Coudray.
“The execution has been entrusted to a temporary consortium of companies composed of GTM Ouest, Dodin Campenon-Bernard, and Cimolai, with the participation of DFA Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes as architect, Paume as urban planner, Schlaich Bergermann Partner in design and construction management, and SCE in technical supervision,” communicated Cimolai.
“The work is distinguished by its structural complexity. The Anne de Bretagne Bridge combines engineering, architecture, and sustainability, and once again demonstrates our country’s capacity to realize excellence in infrastructure recognized at an international level. It is a project that represents the best of Italian competence in the construction of unique and innovative works, capable of improving mobility and the quality of life in cities,” stated Marco Sciarra, president of Cimolai S.p.A.
After its arrival in Nantes, the deck will be placed on the pillars at the beginning of next winter. Only afterwards will the rehabilitation work on the existing bridge begin, which will remain independent of the new structure: both passages will be separated by 30 centimeters, although visually joined by a surface joint that will give the impression of a single bridge.
“With this new engineering project, Cimolai reaffirms its role as a protagonist in the international landscape of major infrastructure works, once again bringing Italian know-how to the service of innovation and sustainability,” the company emphasized.
