Bridges can be very long and record-breaking high – regular readers of our site know this very well, because we have a lot of materials about architectural masterpieces. But did you know that they can also be round? For example, there is such an unusual bridge in Uruguay. It is known as the Laguna Garzon Bridge, and a huge amount of money was allocated for its construction. At first glance, this is just a beautiful object, but in fact, the ring-shaped shape of the bridge was given for a reason. What was the designer's idea? Now we will figure it all out, or maybe you have already guessed the architect's intention.
Laguna Garzon is one of the most unusual and beautiful bridges in the world. Image source: IFL Science
Round Bridge in Uruguay
The Laguna Garzón Bridge, located on the border between the departments of Maldonado and Rocha in Uruguay, is a unique creation that connects two land masses and attracts tourists with its amazing circular shape. Its features were recently described in detail by the authors of IFL Science.
Both cars and people can travel on the round bridge in Uruguay. Image source: Reddit
Before its construction, drivers had to cross the lagoon on a small ferry, which could only accommodate two cars at a time and only operated in good weather and during daylight hours. However, since its completion in 2015, the bridge has made travel much easier, allowing up to 1,000 cars to pass through per day and providing easy passage for pedestrians.
The Uruguayan Bridge is small, but still attracts the attention of many tourists. Image source: Arch Time
The bridge was designed by renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, who is best known for his impressive projects around the world, such as the 432 Park Avenue residential skyscraper in New York City.
The skyscraper 432 Park Avenue is also the work of Rafael Viñoly. Image source: Forbes
Construction of the Laguna Garzon Bridge began in September 2014 and cost a whopping 10 million dollars. Interestingly, 80% of this amount was provided by Argentine businessman Eduardo Costantini, which allowed the project to be implemented as quickly as possible.
At night, the round bridge Laguna Garzon looks even more beautiful than during the day. Image source: Pinterest
The bridge required 450 tons of steel, 500 cubic meters of concrete and 40 kilometers of tension cables to build. The construction of the structure took just over a year and, as noted above, was completed in December 2015.
Why is a round bridge needed in Uruguay
Many may think that the unique shape of the Laguna Garzon Bridge may seem excessive. However, the architects created it with very specific goals.
Laguna Garzón is a natural area with a rich ecosystem, home to rare species such as the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) and amphibians that are in danger of extinction. The main objective was to build a structure that would minimally disturb the environment and its inhabitants.
Chilean Flamingo. Image source: wikipedia.org
The circular design of the bridge reduces the impact on the water surface. Instead of shading most of the water, the bridge is divided into two semi-circular parts, which reduces the time each point on the lagoon remains in shadow. This shape does not interfere with the penetration of sunlight into the water, thereby reducing the negative impact on the ecosystem under the bridge.
View of Laguna Garzon from a great height. Image source: wikimedia.org
In addition, the bridge's round design forces drivers to press the brakes and reduce speed when crossing it. This not only makes the trip safer, but also allows you to enjoy the beautiful views of nature. There are paths for pedestrians, where you can walk, sit in the center of the bridge, or even fish while enjoying the surrounding scenery.
Read also: 10 Longest Bridges in the World
The Most Unusual Bridges in the World
Ring Bridge in Uruguay— is far from the only engineering structure that amazes with its beauty. As a similar example, we can cite the longest bridge, which is located in China. This title belongs to the Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct, which stretches for 164.8 kilometers and allows local residents to travel between Beijing and Shanghai using modern trains in the shortest possible time.
Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct. Image source: gettyimages.com
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If you want to learn about bridges that are impressive not for their length, but for their height, be sure to read our article about the tallest bridge in the world. The Duge Bridge, which is also in China, rises an impressive 565 meters above the ground – its photos will make your head spin!