Petra Tou Romiou Viaduct, Cyprus

The Petra Tou Romiou Viaduct forms part of the Limassol-Paphos Highway in the south of Cyprus. It has a total length of 422.6 m, divided into eight spans (45.25 + 6 x 55.35 + 45.25 m), and a maximum height of 60 m. The twin structures are curved in plan (R = 1250 m) and have a longitudinal slope of 2.25%. Each of the two decks is composed of a continuous post-tensioned mono-cellular concrete box girder constructed by the incremental launching method. That the viaduct is located in an area seismic of high seismicity (peak ground acceleration of 0.21 g) was taken into account in its design, and for this reason the deck is linked to the abutments and to some of the piers by means of a system of dampers. The nature of the terrain presented problems for the foundation works due to the presence of expansive bentonitic clays and fractured chalks.