Normandie Bridge, France

On August 8, 1994, the last steel plate was welded to close the main span of the Normandie Bridge, which, at 856 m, is the longest cable-stayed span in the world today. The success of the Normandie Bridge is due in large part to the confidence and support that the project received from the Owner, the Road Director and the local authorities. Nevertheless, some engineers from one of the erection contractors considered the wind forces to have been underestimated and, thus, the safety questionable. The Owner and the Road Director decided to consult Alan Davenport to evaluate the wind tunnel tests and the estimated wind forces. He approved the performed analyses and recommended some additional wind tunnel tests. This confirmation of the design helped the project very much, and from the summer of 1991, all contractors worked with enthusiasm and energy to complete the bridge on schedule, within budget and up to the prescribed standards of quality.