Ponte da Leziria Bridge Audio guide

A bridge on a key transport artery

Ponte da Leziria is a large Portuguese bridge complex on the A10 motorway between Carregado and Benavente. It spans the Tagus and Sorraia rivers and, at roughly 12 km in length, ranks among the longest bridges in Europe. Its main importance is not only technical but also transport-related: it provides a smoother link between the north and south of the country without the need to drive through Lisbon.

Modern infrastructure in the Lisbon hinterland

The bridge was opened on 8 July 2007 and was built as part of the modernization of the road network around the Lisbon metropolitan area. It has a 2x3-lane layout and operates as a toll road. For Via Verde users, passage is automated, reflecting the current concept of motorway travel in Portugal.

A large-scale construction

The project was carried out by the TACE consortium, and construction lasted 23 months. Such a long bridge required exceptional volumes of materials, especially concrete, steel and prestressing, as well as extensive pile foundations. At the time of completion, it was one of the largest public works of the first decade of the 21st century in Portugal.

Ponte da Leziria is an example of an engineering structure that fundamentally transformed the transport accessibility of the region. It also serves as a reminder of the important role bridges play in the modern landscape not only as technical works, but also as part of the broader economic functioning of the state.