The World's Top 18 Expensive Bridge Projects Exposed

11. Portugal's Vasco da Gama Bridge

Location: Mojito, Alochete, and Sacavem, Portugal

Founded: 1998

Price: *$1.1 billion

The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering and holds the title of the longest bridge in Europe, spanning approximately 7.6 miles. Although it is primarily composed of access roads and viaducts, its impressive length contributes significantly to its status as a major infrastructure project.

Opened in 1998, the bridge connects the regions of Mojito, Alochete, and Sacavem, playing a crucial role in alleviating traffic congestion in Lisbon. Its design not only enhances transportation efficiency but also offers stunning views of the Tagus River, making it an iconic landmark in Portugal.

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Wikimedia.org/Vasco da Gama Bridge, Portugal The Vasco da Gama was designed by Armando Rito. Three years passed between 1995 and 1998, when construction was completed in time for the World's Fair. Explorer Vasco da Gama was Portuguese. In 2016, CNN reported that divers off the coast of Oman had found Esmeralda, a shipwrecked member of his 1400s fleet. This bridge was a good candidate for the name Vasco da Gama. The renowned explorer was the first to connect Asia and Europe via an oceanic route during his first journey to India, which took place between 1497 and 1499. He made a significant historical connection by joining the Atlantic and Indian oceans, which signaled the start of sea-based colonialism.