Portugal has several little-known places that remain off the main itineraries, despite bringing together striking landscapes, relevant engineering works and stories linked to the development of the regions. In Trás-os-Montes, there is a bridge that brings together all these elements and which, according to the blog, deserves greater attention due to the way it imposes itself on the territory without losing connection with the surrounding nature.
About two hours from Porto, between the municipalities of Mogadouro and Alfândega da Fé, is the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge. According to the same source, this crossing is seen by many residents of the region as one of the most impressive in the country, both for its size and the setting in which it is located.
Located in one of the most winding areas of the Sabor River, the bridge is part of Complementary Itinerary 5, an important route for local travel. Its construction helped to shorten travel times and improve access in an area where geography has always made mobility between locations difficult.
Project postponed for decades
Although it was foreseen in road plans more than 50 years ago, the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge was only inaugurated in 2003. The completion of the work represented an important moment for regional development and reinforced road connections in Trás-os-Montes.
Measuring 560 meters long and 13 meters wide, the structure has a main span of 160 meters. Its pillars reach 75 meters in height and the deck was built in pre-stressed reinforced concrete, a solution suited to the demands of the terrain and local conditions.
Adaptation to demanding conditions
The construction of the Baixo Sabor Dam changed part of the bridge’s structure, leaving some pillars submerged. This reality forced the application of specific technical solutions, including the MasterSeal M 689 polyurea membrane, used to guarantee waterproofing.
This intervention required rigorous planning and innovative materials, and today it is seen as an example of engineering applied in a demanding natural environment.
A landscape that can surprise
In addition to its functional importance, this bridge in the North of Portugal stands out for the way it integrates into the landscape. Surrounded by hills, mountain vegetation and the course of the Sabor River, it offers wide and striking views, especially on clear days.
During the crossing, the light reflected from the water and the slopes creates a visual effect that attracts the attention of those passing by. For this reason, some consider it one of the most beautiful bridges in the north of the country.
Accidents were not forgotten
Despite the relevance of the work, the construction of the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge was also marked by two fatal accidents. In one of these episodes, a 20-year-old young man, from Cinfães, fell from a height of more than 30 meters.
The case led to the temporary interruption of works and the review of safety standards at the construction site, leaving a strong mark on the community linked to the work.
Currently, the bridge continues to play a crucial role, according to the source cited above. It connects two areas of the Bragança district and is used every day by those who depend on this crossing to work, study or access services.
Despite this, it remains little known nationally. The structure combines utility, technical relevance and landscape integration, but remains far from the visibility of other similar works. According to Portugal from North to South, the bridge contributes to reinforcing the territorial cohesion of Trás-os-Montes, bringing together locations that have been more isolated for decades. It was designed to withstand rugged terrain and demanding weather conditions.
A place that many say deserves to be seen up close
Near this bridge, located in the North of Portugal, it is possible to observe the route of the Sabor River and the mountainous surroundings of the region. The silence, the fresh air and the size of the landscape invite you to take a longer break, says the Portugal de Norte a Sul blog.
An interesting fact is that, with the construction of the Baixo Sabor Dam, part of the pillars of the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge became submerged. Therefore, it was necessary to resort to special technical waterproofing solutions, such as a polyurea membrane, to protect the structure in a much more demanding environment than that for which it had initially been designed.
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