Ervedal Bridge

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Portalegre > Avis > Ervedal

Location

The Ervedal Bridge is located in the rural area of Ervedal, in the municipality of Avis. It is situated over one of the arms of the large Maranhão Reservoir, connecting the parish seat to the opposite bank. Its position over the water offers a unique scenic setting, typical of this Alentejo area.

A Legacy of Engineering

The construction of the Maranhão Dam, initiated in the 1950s, profoundly altered the landscape and local connections. To ensure crossing and support agricultural activities that depended on access to the riverbanks, a new structure allowing the passage of people and vehicles became essential.

Thus, the Ervedal Bridge was born, designed by the renowned Engineer Edgar Cardoso. Its conception as a suspension bridge, elaborated in 1957 and completed in the early 1960s, represented an ingenious solution to connect the two banks of the forming reservoir.

An Evolving Bridge

The original bridge featured a pine wood deck, planned to have a limited lifespan of about 10 years. However, it remained in service for approximately forty years, an unexpected testament to its initial robustness, even considering the passage needs of the time.

After significant damage caused by a fire in 1985, which affected part of the deck, the structure was restricted, allowing only pedestrian and livestock passage for a decade. In the 1990s, a deep repair was carried out, with the deck being replaced by a metallic structure and the bridge reinforced, substantially increasing its capacity and ensuring crossing in the following years.

Form, Function, and Curiosities

This suspension bridge stands out for its structure suspended over the water, supported by cables and characteristic pillars. With a total length of 144 meters and a width of 2.85 meters, it is a modest but functional crossing, adapted to its rural context.

Locally, it is said that the Ervedal Bridge served as a kind of miniature model for the 25 de Abril Bridge, given the similar suspension design, the authorship by the same engineer, and the fact that its construction was almost simultaneous. This popular curiosity adds a unique touch to a visit to it.

The Reservoir Setting

The bridge offers wide views over the Maranhão Reservoir, a vast mirror of water that stretches across the landscape. This environment not only beautifies the surrounding landscape but also serves as a refuge for various birds, which can be observed flying or resting on the banks.

When crossing, the peculiar sound of the metallic deck, especially with the passage of vehicles, adds to the sensory experience, creating a particular atmosphere that combines human engineering with the tranquility of the surrounding natural environment.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt