Millau Viaduct: The World's Tallest Bridge

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[@megaprojects9649]

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[@deadracreeperlord]

I remember watching a episode of impossible builds (if I remember correctly that’s the name) on this and that’s actually what lead me to your channel lol. Small world

[@jwenting]

squarespace is ideal if you want to build a disaster.

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

Now ; Strepy-Thieu boat lift ! The largest in the world !

[@InekoBK]

@Megaprojects Have you considered making a video on Taipei 101?

[@harrickvharrick3957]

Soo, WHY was this video presented under the 'moments from disaster' tag?

[@SovereignwindVODs]

Damn, a megaproject that finished ahead of schedule, in budget and wasn't riddled with problems during and after construction? I didn't think it was possible

[@888johnmac]

lol , i take back everything i've ever said about the French

[@zeljkomatovic24601]

Hey, spoiler alert! Lol

[@toddlerj102]

@@888johnmac steady on there, they got one thing right. I mean come on, lol.

[@seafodder6129]

It wasn't a military project.

[@randoir1863]

the project wasn't in America and wasn't an election reward . IF u know what I mean .

[@SMarcey]

Just want to say, as someone very stuck in a boring place all my life, that its your content that has made me feel more connected with the rest of the world than anything else Ive come across. From the streets of Petra to Uluru to technological marvels like this bridge, these let me traverse the planet and its history. Huge thanks to you and your team for doing the work to present these to us.

[@toddlerj102]

Simon is good at that, across his channels he can connect with all walks of life.

[@ducknorris233]

How is Cleveland?

[@megaprojects9649]

Thank you :)

[@austinkopp4715]

Yeh thank you simon!

[@Raz.C]

I'm genuinely sorry you're stuck in one place and an admittedly boring place, at that. I've been lucky enough to have been travelling since I was born. My mother took me overseas with her each year when she travelled then when I grew up I started travelling by myself. Nevertheless, when I was young and I would travel, there was always something standing out in my memory, compelling me to continue travelling, year after year. It was a quote from Dune: "A person needs new experiences. They jar something inside, allowing you to grow. Without change, something sleeps in us and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken." If you're stuck in a boring place in Europe, then travel isn't as high a priority for you as if you're Australian or North American. In Australia/ N. America, you can travel for 3,000 miles east/ west and all along your journey, as well as at the end of your journey, you'll meet people who speak the same language, use the same currency, have the same history and share the same culture. Whereas in Europe, if you travel a few hundred miles in any direction, the people have a different history, language and culture. Thus it's MUCH easier to be far more worldly if you're stuck in Europe than if you're stuck here, or in North America. I'd like to close this out by saying that you're never too old to start travelling. I was checking some prices recently and it would cost me $200 for a plane ticket to Bali and another $20- per night for accommodation in a 3-star hotel. That is dirt cheap and the only reason I'm not in Bali right now is that I'm waiting for a friend of mine on the other side of the country (Western Australia) to save up for the journey, so that we can meet up in Bali. I hope you're able to pack your bags and hit the road before too long...

[@abarratt8869]

I used to pop up to Millau whilst they were building this bridge. It was a truly epic sight whilst building it. I caught it once with the longest part of the deck jutting out into thin air over the river, with (unbelievably) a lorry parked on the end of it. A very impressive construction and design feat. And some very highly skilled welders putting the deck together and getting every joint right! The bridge was financed by that much-maligned (at least here in the UK) instrument of public infrastructure, a PFI. There were some very imaginative aspects to the PFI they put in place. 1) There was an official opening date, 2) Any toll collected before the official opening date counted as pure-profit for the company, 3), The company could collect toll after it opened until a] they'd made a pre-agreed amount of profit, or b] 100 years (whichever came first) after which the bridge reverts to public ownership, 4) toll price pre-agreed and cannot be increased by the company. Opening a few months early was a testament to the planning skills of the company, and skills of the government for not being manipulated whilst allowing for a decent incentive. The wind can be truly epic in that part of the world. There's a little airfield just south, and there used to be (maybe still are) chaps who'll take you up in a microlight for a flight over the bridge. You'll find that their English language skills dry up completely if you ask them to fly underneath it! There's been some fairly significant unintended consequences. The local town, Millau (Mee-oh) used to be an unpleasant place, hosting France's biggest summer traffic jam, endless lorries all year round, etc. Now with the bridge open the town has been smartened up, there's some very nice places to eat and stay, and it's become a destination to go in that area, with handy access to the autoroute. The second unintended consequence is the visitor centre for the bridge. Originally this was a Portakabin-type thing, and they were expecting maybe 10,000 people ever might come and see it. They soon had to replace it with a permanent centre / exhibition, and build a special access road so that you can easily go down to the base of the tallest tower and take a photo looking upwards. Ironically, this access road involved building another bridge over the river... All in all, it's done a huge amount for the local area, beyond just giving motorists a quicker journey to the south. There's now a good reason to stop in the town, rather than a bad reason to get stuck there. Nuggets: one of the first members of the public to cross it after it opened was also the first person to kill themselves jumping from it (a tragic case as I recall). You can nearly fit the Eifel Tower underneath the bridge. It's not level or straight (by design). If you stop your car to take a photo, a policeman will be there pretty quickly dishing out a fine. The service / rest area at the northern end has a pretty good place for taking photos of the bridge. There's occasions when they close the bridge and open it up to pedestrians / runners / etc. Sadly the view whilst driving across in a car isn't so great; the (transparent) wind deflectors distort the view. You're better off in a lorry or a coach (or above mentioned microlight). There used to be an ad for McDonalds in a field at the southern end informing you that the nearest one was a very long way away indeed (it's not popular in that part of France).

[@jo-annebotha9609]

Thanks for all this interesting info!

[@erinmcdonald7781]

Thank you for your fascinating and informative addition to this story! I will have to add Milau to my must-see's on my next trip to France. Also, had to laugh at the McDonald's remark. I categorize their "cuisine" as "food you think you want to eat, but really wish you didn't." In other words, like Play-Doh to a kid. ✌️😸

[@topieuze]

It's really funny seeing so much information on my town. And very accurate too! Summers used to be hell before the viaduct.

[@abarratt8869]

@@topieuze Well, it's a famous place now, for a lot of good reasons. I've had plenty of good lunches in Millau in the years since the bridge opened. This really does count as civil engineering at its very best. Afterwards, everything became better for everyone. Given that projects like this have a positive effect on a nation's GDP, everyone in France benefited.

[@cowofthemonth]

Thanks for taking the time to share that

[@mho...]

Build ahead of schedule & payed for itself after 3 years?! the world needs more infrastructure projects like this!

[@Pilski]

Try to imagine the amazing (almost unbelievable) surprise..no, shock...as we came out of a curve to see this magnificent structure appear! Had NO idea it was there. Were driving from Spain to spent a few days at a gite about 45 miles nw of Millau. Next day we were right back there, spending the whole day doing the 'construction' tour and visitor's center below the viaduct. It was all a very enjoyable, educational experience. Drove south on the old road to get a feel of what it was like, but primarily to make the trip once again across the bridge. Well worth the toll!!! Possibly the most understated fact of the viaduct is its' aesthetic appeal; really beautiful from all through the valley. Originally from West Virginia we've traversed the Gauley River Gorge bridge many times; a spectacular project in it's own right! Was built for the same reason as Millau...unclogged mountain roads with a trip reduction time of two hours! Absolutely enjoy every video (a BUNCH) of yours watched. Great content, presentation...and I LOVE your humor! (er...humoUr) Keep up the wonderful work, please!

[@andythebritton]

Had a similar experience. No idea it was there and suddenly, we're driving across it. Magnificent.

[@1966jamesM]

I've been driving down to Perpignan for over 25 years and remember it taking 3 hours to get through Millau. I saw some of the construction of the viaduct in the early 2000's and couldn't wait to use it. Now been across countless times and often stop to just look at it and ask my self "how the hell did they do that?". The visitor's centre is well worth stopping for and the short walk to the viewing point, particularly as the journey is now 2 hours and 55 minutes quicker from Calais!! The A75 south of Clermont-Ferrand has to be in the top drives in the world, truly stunning and for both the natural environment of the Grand Causes as well as the human engineering effort, which I doubt everyone will agree with.

[@xmj6830]

Once again French engineering proved to be one of the best!

[@brett4264]

I think that is the most beautiful bridge in the world. My jaw drops every time I see it. Driving over it is on my bucket list.

[@Iamtheliquor]

Do it! Take my word for it you don’t want to miss it

[@naimezzaytouni8166]

I already take this road u can’t see the scape on the road

[@johugra1]

I would recommend that you approach from the North. You see teasing glimpses of it in the distance. On the bridge the sensation is very special! Wonderful light, wonderful views. Once across on the South side it disappears almost immediately and you are in a whole new world.

[@alexdeadeye6905]

@@johugra1 Yes, each time i come from the north, the highway starts curving downwards and to the right before seeing the viaduc. The road disappears from sight and it appears as if you were going to launch yourself from a cliff into the valley. I shit myself each time.

[@warkey.6490]

I'm from Millau and there are also lot of beautiful river canyons here to visit, you can do para-gliding, bungee jumping or kayak

[@SimonTekConley]

The most impressive fact, it paid itself off in 3 years.

[@jhill4874]

The bridge spanning the mouth of the Columbia river in OR/WA paid for itself in, I believe, less than 5 years. The toll for logging trucks was pretty high, but the time and fuel saved more than made up for the cost. It looked like convoy off logging trucks.

[@peterfielden-weston7560]

My late wife and I spent nearly twenty years travelling that route. Millau, while a stunningly beautiful town, was a nightmare to transverse. We spent years watching the towers stretch across the valley, and, at last knew that next year e would cross via the viaduct. Well the day came, we paid our toll (quite gladly I might add,) and drove onto the bridge. The fog / mist / cloud was so thick we could hardly see thee next tower let alone the "magnificent" views either side. I think it was about two years later that we finally got to see this magficent structure in all its glory, and the views were breathtaking.

[@cr10001]

75 miles north of Millau up the A75 is Garabit Viaduct, a railway arch also built by Eiffel, and the highest arch bridge in the world when it was built. There's an 'aire' (pull-off viewing area) on the A75 that gives a good view of the viaduct. Or for a better view, come off at Exit 31 for Loubaresse (also signposted 'Garabit - Viaduc Eiffel') and take the D909 that crosses under the viaduct to cross the Truyere on a low level bridge that gives a great view up the valley to the bridge. It makes a nice contrast with the modernity of the Millau viaduct.

[@DeziYouRock]

My grandma lives right there and sometimes we go climbing or paragliding on the Larzac plateau and let me tell you, even from afar this things fills up the whole valley, it's huuuge (and quite impressive to drive on also) !

[@CPS2]

Your grandma lives on the bridge?!

[@trespire]

Your grandma paraglides ?

[@wazzer2348]

That is a very beautiful part of France. Have been twice to Millau and found it to be a charming town. Hopefully will get back into that part of the world when the Pandemic is over.

[@warkey.6490]

@@wazzer2348 I leave here, you are welcome 😁👌

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@CPS2 Yep. Her name's Binoche and she relocated from Le Pont-Neuf. 😉😁

[@Clarkyboy1979]

Having driven over both the Pont-du-Normandie and the Millau Viaduct, I can confirm they are both staggering constructions, though of course the Millau is a huge level up from the Pont. The views are incredible and it's hard to comprehend the sheer scale of it without seeing it in real life. It really is a spectacular feat of engineering.

[@Iamtheliquor]

Been over that viaduct several times. Nothing short of a spectacular structure in an outstandingly beautiful part of the world

[@quoniam426]

Eiffage is just a new name for the former Eiffel company+some other companies fusioned with it. You should make a video on the Rion Antirion bridge, the bridge over the Corinth straight that links the Peloponeze peninsula to the West of Greece. There are some technical marvels on this bridge as well and it is also a French design. I went to a conference ten years ago with the engineers who worked on this project, hearing them talking about the solutions to the seismic problems was mindblowing. They already knew they succeeded because by the time of the conference, the bridge sustained an Earthquake bigger than anticipated and everything worked as planned. Jean Pierre Raffarin was at the time considered for his dad jokes everybody liked to laugh at for their ridiculeness. "The road is straight but the slope is high" used to describe the economical crisis gives you an idea. There are some cool pictures of the viaduct immersed in low fog and clouds in the valley. Other critics were given about how a viaduct would tarnish the look of the valley itself. Normal Foster's discreet touch integrated it well into the landscape.

[@pauvelasco06]

one of the best episodes on top gear featured this magnificent megaproject

[@jbgraham4041]

I've been looking forward to seeing you tackle this Megaproject. There were aspects of the construction that I never knew about before now. Thanks again for the awesome content!

[@oldschoolman1444]

Probably the coolest bridge in the world!

[@burtdurger847]

Seriously though, building them soooo accurately using GPS is beyond impressive. Just, wow. I love this bridge.

[@PanglossDr]

That shocked me a bit if it is true. There are other more accurate technologies available using lasers like that used to ensure the Channel Tunnels met within 30cms of target.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Well Simon it seems kudos are deserved by all involved. This is one of your best, and most detailed offerings to date. I was fascinated from start to finish. Congratulations. Viva la France!

[@jo-annebotha9609]

I am in constant awe of engineers and what they can design and execute; and of the skilled craftsmen that help them. Thank goodness fir such imaginative, daring souls. We revere athletes, actors and singers and take what these clever people do for granted when they are the ones who should be revered.

[@erinmcdonald7781]

Absolutely!!! ✌️😎

[@stypsii]

I had the privilege of climbing on top of the highest pillar thanks to a friend who worked at Eiffage, it's was memorable. It's been a part of the landscape for many years but I'm still impressed everytime I see it.

[@stevemchadd]

I have been over this bridge twice in both directions and it is spectacular, just as well it is in a straight line because you spend most of the time looking sideways at the amazing views ;)

[@DownwithEA1]

Damn. That's how you do a mega project. Well done France.

[@craigevans6156]

Well worth a visit and there’s a visitor centre in the valley underneath the bridge. One of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

[@timmccarthy872]

Visited this during it's construction in the summer of 2004 and WOW, what a bridge.

[@theshadowman1398]

In Latvia there is a simple bridge across a river that costed several times more than this one and is crooked. All because of corruption.

[@InteloPL]

Ex-soviet block for you.

[@theshadowman1398]

@@InteloPL Latvia pretends to be massively anti Sovjet

[@InteloPL]

@@theshadowman1398 i know. Yet all of the ex-socialist slav countries seem to have the same issue in that matter.

[@theshadowman1398]

@@InteloPL Latvia isn’t Slavic.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@theshadowman1398 InteloPL is obviously a very cultured man (or woman) 😂

[@dawnpalmby5100]

Daaaaang I thought the SkyBridge in Quebec was the most terrifying bridge ever but this is getting my anxiety up

[@raistmajere7477]

This was built just a couple years after the Millenium AKA "Wobbly" bridge. Which had to be closed for 2 years because they kind of forgot about resonance x'D

[@PanglossDr]

Yes, that was one of the worst Engineering Fiascos ever.

[@PanglossDr]

@Nicky L I know what it is, I have crossed it. It was pushed as one of London's showpieces for the millennium (wrong year, not the millennium but, that's another story). In the Civil Engineering world it is seen as a humiliation for London.

[@ComaDave]

Drove over the Pont while on holiday in 2012. For somebody more used to the West Gate and Sydney Harbour bridges, it is quite a roller-coaster in comparison. Amazing. Never been to Millau, but the first time I saw a photo of it, I thought it was a Photoshop. One of the most incredible things ever built.

[@sebdu12I5w4t]

I'm french I take the bridge once a month it's breath taking Everytime ! I just wander how long it will last and what it will become after .

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:25 - Chapter 1 - Which way to go ? 2:35 - Chapter 2 - Ambitious plans 4:15 - Chapter 3 - The devil in the detail 5:50 - Mid roll ads 7:20 - Chapter 4 - The piers start to grow 8:40 - Chapter 5 - Pylons comes into play 10:50 - Chapter 6 - Heading for the middle 12:35 - Chapter 7 - Using an ancient technique 14:05 - Chapter 8 - The critics are proved wrong

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

That bridge is truly a work of art...magnificent to look at

[@thedarkonestaint6105]

Wow, what an incredible megaproject. They slayed it

[@pwnsauce64]

Video suggestion: The high level bridge built in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, it was an incredible megaproject for its time and even now stands as one of the world's great bridges

[@henryneufeld6785]

I've been at the foot of the structure, it's quite impressive to look up at, have you been there?

[@marc0523]

Architecture like this makes me proud to be a human being. I feel like showing it to our ancestors and saying, "See, we did learn from you!"

[@jimmyyu2184]

Jacque: Dang, Andre, we missed it by 2mm! Andre: Rounding error...

[@siggy6044]

The Top Gear episode where they take a trip to this bridge is one of my favorites

[@bicyclist2]

I've seen a few documentaries about this bridge. This was short and concise. Top Gear UK took three supercars here in a episode. Thank you.

[@themwuzthedaze]

Wow, how nice to see a highly speculative gigantic construction project turn out to be a raving success rather than a horrible disaster! Thank you, Simon!

[@pewterhacker]

Yay! Contains the two ingredients of a true megaproject: 1) Gives people vertigo just thinking about it, and 2) Pundits who say it will never make money are proven wrong!

[@sailinbob11]

I just love it when critics get a swift kick in the nads. Well done.

[@robertbankhead8661]

My favorite project hands down in the world. Still on my bucket list to experience this viaduct. Simply amazing engineering throughout the project. Thank you for bringing this out!

[@chele-chele]

I travelled to France to see and drive over this marvel shortly after it opened, absolutely beautiful.

[@abbofun9022]

Been there and made a stop to marvel at this truly fantastic construction, truly amazing.

[@XDSDDLord]

I love it when a good plan comes together!

[@deemariedubois4916]

Beautiful bridge. It truly is a work of art. Thanks Simon.

[@joshuapatrick682]

It really is a marvel of the post modern world, right up there with the ancient wonders of the Mediterranean.

[@MegaSnow121]

Beautiful, breathtaking bridge. I hope I will see it in person some day.

[@medler2110]

Been over a few times, its truly stunning piece of civil engineering, matched by a stunning piece of civil engineering from another era that can be seen from the same Autoroute, the Garabit Viaduct.

[@Zantides]

Ancient Egypt didn't use slaves, their so called slaves had a higher standard of living than other commoner's at the time.

[@jwenting]

correct. While there were some slaves no doubt the majority were seasonal workers, often farmers working on construction projects during off season for farm work, giving them a welcome extra source of income.

[@rjspires]

It's weird seeing footage from 2001 nowadays. It's like when a was kid, seeing footage from the '70's back in the '90's. It looks just as grainy too.

[@brodericki4281]

This was mad such good content, which is par for the course at this stage. Really well done Simon

[@flightmaster999]

Spectacular work from the engineers involved in the design and construction of this marvel!

[@devinodonnell]

It's always such a strange concept to me that a toll road would, at some point, pay for itself and cease to be a tolled road, since growing up in Houston, TX, USA we've had a toll road that has still yet to pay for itself, despite being completed almost a decade ago and having functionally paid for itself at this point.

[@vysharra]

That’s the difference between private and public projects. Texas sold off the right to build a bridge to a private company who is still selling access today where France built their own bridge for their citizens and stopped collecting when the bonds were paid.

[@TheJessyChrist]

@@vysharra except it's a private company running the viaduct, and there are still fees to this day (and the prices have gone up)

[@vysharra]

@@TheJessyChrist they were contracted by the government and the bridge reverts to public ownership after the allotted timeframe. It is functionally public with an unusual funding path to pay the private companies who built it

[@TheJessyChrist]

@@vysharra indeed it was contracted by the government, but eiffage still owns the viaduct and collects the fees ( roughly 21 millions a year)

[@richardsawyer5428]

The Severn Crossings connecting Wales to England had their tolls removed several years ago thankfully. Getting to places like the Forest if Dean or the Brecon Beacons is just so much better now.

[@EdgyNumber1]

I suspect tourists *wanted* to pay the toll just to experience the bridge. Clouds can form either side within the valley, giving you the feeling of flying through the air. Its one of the places on my go to map. This and the location of the first French World driver's Championship F1 Grand Prix _(which you can see on 'Tim Traveller's' channel.)_ 👍

[@CyclonusEX]

Been waiting for this one! Great stuff as always!

[@richardfredericks4069]

Whistler, love your videos, very well researched. Could you do one on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel and it's latest expansion?

[@erinmcdonald7781]

I second that!

[@Skanzool]

That bridge is unbelievable! Not only is it beautiful but it's breathtaking as well. Thanks for posting this video.

[@dfry1912]

Excellent video as always, keep up the good work

[@gumbycat5226]

That was a super video. Amazing when so many complex things just go well.

[@diabeticlifewithtim3145]

It really does go to show that just because it hasn’t been done yet, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do.

[@AlexandarHullRichter]

That was absolutely fascinating. I've seen pictures of that bridge, and it's always been anxiety inducing for me. I would never be comfortable driving on a bridge so high off the ground, especially one so long. That story is amazing tho. Thank you for bringing it to us!

[@ryank5424]

Also just thought I'd add: came across your channel by chance and have not regretted it. Even checked out some of your others and like your work.

[@leahfairs2392]

I enjoyed this video a lot, thank you.

[@mugwump7049]

I love how the auto-subs sometimes spell Millau "meow" or "meal"... I'm French and the Millau traffic jams were infamous when I was a kid. My parents and I wasted hours being stuck there each Summer. I took the viaduct once, it's a quite eerie experience. It feels like you took off the ground to fly through the air, and you can actually feel the bridge sway with the wind. I prefer to take the original road TBH now that the jams are not so much of a problem anymore, as a) you don't see much landscape while crossing the bridge anyway and the road & town are much more charmingly picturesque and b) there's a horrendously expensive toll just to cross the bridge (around €10 for small vehicles).

[@cr10001]

Also, if you take the old road, it offers the best views of the viaduct. But it's a lot slower, even without the traffic jams.

[@cynthiasimpson931]

There are a lot of regular traffic jams in the world. I live outside of Portland, Oregon, and there are twice-daily traffic jams there. If I have any need to go into Portland (very rare) I take light rail. My husband drives a school bus, and he's told me stories about driving in downtown Portland that he said turned his last remaining hairs white.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

They suggested a bridge from Scotland to Ireland and it was shot down as impossible due to wind on vehicles, but I'm sure they could make it an above-ground tunnel or something. Sadly, in the UK we no longer aim high like this. It would be incredible for Scotland to be connected to Ireland. The jobs constructing it would be fantastic, it would bring tourism and trade that would all boost the economy and it sounds like with a fee it could be paid for by users. I wish the government would look at this video and realise that it pays to be brave as long as you have the right talent involved.

[@TonyHammitt]

Sounds good, but they'd have to name it the Giant's Viaduct :)

[@standard_gauge]

There was a very good economic case for building this. There is no economic case whatsoever for a Scotland Northern Ireland bridge. Just because something could be done is not in itself a reason for doing it

[@irritated888]

Said no government ever.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

@@standard_gauge - Spoken like an Englishman that probably lives in the south which is why we need independence and will get it with a decade. The UK exported 40 Billion in goods to Ireland and Ireland exported 30 billion in goods to the UK in 2019. A road-rail bridge connecting would cost an estimated £15-£20bn and would expedite and expand trade and travel between Northern England, Scotland and Ireland. It would open up a tourist route for tourists visiting Ireland (income £6B per annum) to drive or get a train from Dublin and travel into the UK visiting Scotland or travelling down through England rather than flying or skipping the UK on their trip. Scotland would no longer be isolated at the top of Europe but instead connected to Ireland where it can build on trade and relations. It is calculated that replacing the Trident Nuclear weapons system will cost the UK £205 Billion of taxpayer money which Scots do not want in our country and is only here so a first-strike attack would not hit Scotland and not England. I know where I'd prefer my tax money spent and instead of sending our oil money to London to be spent on projects that serve England perhaps it is time we benefitted. Norway are building a £47 Billion coastal highway of bridges and tunnels to connect a nation of 5 million people with each other even though few live in the north. Yet, 6 million Scots and millions of northerners are not worth economically worth connecting with 7 million people on the island of Ireland. It isn't just the economic cost that matters either but how much it would enhance life and opportunities for Scotland to be connected to Ireland. Sorry to waffle but just seen your comment and I feel strongly about this.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

@@irritated888 - Well, France built this and the USA put a man on the moon and built the international space station. France put a lot into a space program but the UK does not as we no longer have the spirit to do anything challenging. Norway is building a £47 billion coastal highway for a country of only 5.5 million most of which don't live in the north but they want the connection. The UK wastes £205 billion on Nuclear weapons and billions more fighting foreign wars and playing at being a world power, when those days are gone. We could do this easily if we changed our priorities like Norway and spent our money improving our nation.

[@dasfunkyzeit8848]

I’ve driven over the Millau a few times. The approach from the north is best ‘cos you can stop @ the visitor centre and look @ the bridge from the viewing point. If approaching from the south, there’s no warning and all of a sudden the world disappears!! Pont de Normandie is also pretty impressive. Lovely views of Honfleur on the west bank, and the refinery and chemical plants on the east.

[@hectorino9351]

Brilliant presentation. Thank you.

[@Concussed1.]

Looking at it is absolutely terrifying. Driving over it is not a big deal. Lovely part of the world. You can feel the history there.

[@warkey.6490]

Yeah you are right Millau is beautiful, look at "Gorges du Tarn"

[@yutakago1736]

This prove that the French Engineers are better than handling megaproject than the American and British.

[@vladsnape6408]

It is a pleasure to learn about an engineering project which is beautiful, pushes the boundaries of what has been previously done, was constructed on time, and paid for itself in 3 years.

[@elblasko1060]

I’m just looking this video from my bed. And from my bed I can see the viaduc. Good video

[@twocvbloke]

With my fear of heights, I think I'd rather just take the longer route through the village instead..... :S

[@888johnmac]

lol , thinking the same myself

[@abarratt8869]

In a car you honestly don't get any real sense of being up high; it's almost disappointing in that regard! But yes, come off the autoroute and drop down into Millau, and better still stop there and have a nice, relaxed lunch. It's now a lovely part of the world, with the traffic jams a thing of the past.

[@richardsawyer5428]

I really hate heights but driving across it is no problem. You can't take in the view if you're driving!

[@ericmarseille2]

I have acute acrophobia, and it took me some resolution to take the viaduct; It's very impressive looking, esp. from north to south, where it is going up, but I managed it relatively well...It was something else when going to Monaco, 9 viaducts from Nice on, and a very painful, short section bordering the emptiness just before a toll...Ouch!

[@wazzer2348]

Either way you are not disappointed, the village of Millau is stunning and the drive down the town is lovely.

[@imansfield]

Ive driven over this bridge many times on the way to Spain. It always takes your breath away as you approach it, but for full effect, you need to take a detour down into Millau and drive directly under. The scale of that thing when you stand underneath is awesome!

[@coloradomountainman8659]

Another stellar job Simon!

[@merlynscave]

I actually drove past this place when only one of the support towers was built, as I live in France. I thought it was really odd and took a photo of this single huge pylon, unfortunately I lost the picture. When I eventually found out what it was it all clicked into place. An incredible achievement and ahead of schedule, which says a lot about how the French companies can work.

[@crrc4s]

Dude that was an awesome and informative video. Thanks

[@russbilzing5348]

Spectacular!! This comes from some who regularly makes a spectacle of himself.

[@rogerpenske2411]

Another fantastic video, Simon

[@dano727]

An Amazing piece of engineering and hard work !

[@peter.wilson]

The French did a great job with this project.

[@dafyddthomas7299]

and the British Architect.

[@abarratt8869]

@@dafyddthomas7299 Indeed, though in this case I suspect it was a case of "here's a design, but are you sure you can build it?". It was a very big construction challenge, especially the schedule. There's another impressive bridge over the same river, at Viaur en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viaur_Viaduct. This gets a lot less attention, largely because it's a railway bridge, it's in the middle of nowhere, and has been there for over 100 years; everyone has gotten used to it!

[@chrisyorke6175]

Delivered on time, for less than half a billion euros and no reported deaths. Impressive.

[@nealholland83]

Yes, been waiting for this video for ages...

[@thetreadtrader7565]

I’ve rode a motorcycle across this bridge, just like flying. Great video.

[@WarpFactor999]

SIMON! You simply nailed this one! well done good sir! Great video.

[@pierrebuffiere5923]

Very interesting. I saw it several times in various stages of construction and have driven across it a few times. It impresses me every time. There is a visitors center nearby which explains how it was all built... well worth a visit. There is a lot more to see in this area so it is worthwhile spending a few nights it Millau. Nearby is the Cirque de Navacelles, La Couvertroirade and a wooden Russian church which was dismantled in Russia and brought log by log to be rebuilt in France (not easy to find). In addition there is also the lovely Gorges du Tarn, and the Caves du Roquefort (cheese).

[@JeremyPickett]

I am in awe of bridges. I'm from the Pacific Northwest, and have been through tons of covered bridges. I've been over the new Tacoma narrows, the old one called Galloping Gurdy. My honeymoon, I crossed the golden gate, used to have to commute the San Mateo, and lived a rocks throw from Dumbarton. I've been to uncountable bridges in the UK, and though I forget it's name, I've been photographed next to the train bridge shown in Harry Potter. (Also been to alnwick, i.e. Hogwarts, three times :D) Wonderful video, and this is on my bucket list.

[@Sian-Studios]

That explanation was so calming and interesting

[@immortalsofar5314]

Hey, Simon, I remember seeing a documentary on the TV back in the '80s where the busiest motorway exit had to be replaced. They built a new one next to the old one, diverted traffic, demolished the old one and then slid half a mile of roadway into its new position overnight ready for rush hour traffic the next day. Low tech, there were tv cameras filming "rulers" to make sure it was linear, giant brakes (which didn't quite work but did their best) and water lubrication. Might make a good video.

[@kieranking8657]

I crossed it a couple of years after it opened and its very impressive, it was strange looking down on clouds as we drove over it, very well presented and informative video👍

[@garry1214]

This was another interesting video of which I have much interest. My oldest son crossed this twice while in France on a college internship.

[@alans9707]

Great job Simon

[@jtuk2000]

Hey Simon, how about a Megaprojects video on the Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles? Most expensive stadium ever built. 100K capacity. Fully covered with a roof. Has a jumbotron hanging from the roof that's bigger than the field. The forces involved must be insane. Also it's a delicious example of American garish excess.

[@markturner7459]

The best views are before you get to it and not on it....but the view from a boat going under it is fantastic!

[@andersjjensen]

Wow! Three world firsts in one project! The longest, the tallest and the first French government project to be finished ahead of schedule! I'm thoroughly impressed! I mean, the first two can be solved by good engineering, but the latter can only be solved by getting politicians to stay out of the process, and I have NO idea how they made THAT happen! :P

[@bsadewitz]

Politicians staying out of the process entirely isn't a necessary nor sufficient condition for success. Private industry is just as capable of inefficiency, graft, and corruption as government is--especially when operating with government funding. My guess is that, at least, excellent engineering and project management tend to actually deliver, and, assuming most politicians actually wanted this thing done, everyone was happy. Also, all politicians are not interchangeable. ;-)

[@andersjjensen]

@@bsadewitz You're really fun at parties, aren't you?

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@andersjjensen As much as you 🙂 You have no idea how funny and original you were… 🙂

[@andersjjensen]

@@heliedecastanet1882 Just to be clear, this wasn't a stab at the French in particular. It was a stab at politicians in general.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@andersjjensen Maybe the element that is not clear is "first French…", especially if you wanted to speak about all the governments around the world… 🙂 Thanks for the answer anyway ! Have a good day 🙂

[@shinry1234]

Love ya work keep it up

[@Beryllahawk]

Great video, and what a kickass bridge that is!!