The construction of the new Bacalan-Bastide lifting bridge over the Garonne River in Bordeaux, France, is due to start this month. Vinci Construction is the main contractor for the approximately US$188 million contract to build the structure, which has been designed by Egis-JMI, Michel Virlogeux, Lavigne & Cheron Architects and Hardesty & Hanover. Steel fabrication will be carried out by Cimolai.

The bridge will create a new link over the river some 2km from the city centre; it is 45m wide, 433m long and has a central lifting section of 117m with four, 80m-high towers. The lifting section provides a navigation channel 106m wide and 53m above the water level. Construction will take 33 months and is scheduled for completion in 2012.