State of the art technology

The construction of the Millau viaduct required most of the state of the art techniques used in the field of construction. Before this, no building site had grouped in one single place such a mixture of technologies. Laser, GPS, sliders, self-climbing formwork, specific surface coats, high performance concrete and innovative materials were all instrumental in the success of an extraordinary construction.

Raising the piers

After the first adjustments, the concrete work sites soon reached cruising speed. At the rate of one lift every three days for each pier, they were completed in less than two years.

Launching the deck

Eighteen sliding operations brought the two parts of the deck above the Tarn. Each time, several thousands of tonnes were driven 171 m. A tour de force made possible by the use of wedges and hydraulic rams.

The junction

The meeting of the north and south decks took place on 28 May 2004, 270 m above the Tarn. The result of 21 months of work and a moment of intense emotion.

Installing the pylons

The pylons were transported on their sides to the deck by four self-propelled trailers. Caught in a pincer movement by huge steel arms, they were lifted to the base of the concrete piers.

The stay-cables

Eleven pairs of stay-cables were installed face-to-face on each pylon. Inside the protective sheaths, several dozen steel strands were placed under tension, which was defined by the engineering and design department.

Laying the road surface

The road surface of the Millau viaduct is the result of several months of research. It was designed to resist any distortion of the deck and provide good quality comfortable motorway conditions. It took less than four days' work to lay it.