Ponte Vasco da Gama (Vasco da Gama Bridge), Lisbon

In 1998, Europe witnessed the inauguration of its lengthiest bridge, spanning a remarkable 12.345 kilometers (equivalent to 7.6 miles). This monumental engineering feat was undertaken with two primary objectives in mind: first, to establish a vital link between the Expo '98 grounds and the southern bank of the Tagus River, thereby mitigating the chronic traffic congestion that had beleaguered the sole existing river-crossing, the 25th of April Bridge in Lisbon; second, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the historic odyssey embarked upon by the illustrious Portuguese navigator, Vasco da Gama, an expedition that heralded the opening of pivotal maritime trade routes connecting Europe to Asia.

The bridge's construction came a price tag of $1.1 billion, a testament to the significance it bore for Portugal, a nation that had been somewhat belated in its infrastructural development. Noteworthy is the bridge's unique design, characterized by its proximity to the water's surface and the deliberate incorporation of towers and cables, cleverly evoking the sails of a caravel ship, harkening back to Portugal's maritime heritage.

Of paramount importance is the bridge's remarkable resilience, boasting a projected lifespan of 120 years and possessing the capacity to withstand seismic forces 4.5 times more potent than the cataclysmic tremor that ravaged Lisbon in 1755, nearly bringing the city to its knees.

Tip:
Consider ascending one of the taller edifices within Nations' Park ("Parque das Nações") for a panoramic aerial perspective.