VINCI Highways celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Vasco de Gama Bridge
Built in 1994 by VINCI and Mota-Engil and now operated by VINCI Highways via the company Lusoponte, the Vasco da Gama Bridge (12.3 km) is celebrating its 25th anniversary today. Considered at the time to be the longest bridge in Europe, it was built to relieve congestion on the 25 April Bridge, for which VINCI Highways is also the concessionaire, and to promote the development of the south bank of the river.
Since its official inauguration on March 29, 2008, more than 500 million vehicles have crossed the Tagus River via the Vasco de Gama Bridge, in both directions. 3,300 people of different nationalities worked on the project, which was completed ahead of schedule and on budget.
VINCI Highways and the Vasco de Gama Bridge teams work daily to ensure that crossing the bridge is a smooth and safe experience for its users. The accident rate is one of the lowest on national highways, and the average customer satisfaction rate is 76%.
The construction of the Vasco de Gama Bridge over the Tagus River by Lusoponte, which has already entered the history of civil engineering, has been considered one of the most important and successful projects of the 20th century. The international recognition of this work was confirmed by the award of the first prize of the prestigious Ibero-American Institution of Architecture and Civil Engineering in 2000.
In line with the three axes of our environmental strategy: act for the climate with low-carbon infrastructures, optimize resources through the circular economy and preserve natural environments, Lusoponte took over the Salinas do Samouco Foundation in 2009. Together, they implemented a habitat conservation and environmental education plan, which has turned this area into a real reference in the Lisbon region. Today, it is possible to visit this area to observe different types of birds, to encounter a community of Mirandese donkeys born and raised on the site, as well as to buy certified salt flower, hand-picked using ancestral methods. Since opening to the public in 2014, the site has welcomed 49,997 visitors.
Over the past 25 years, the company has supported numerous social, cultural and recreational projects, including the highly successful half-marathons from the Vasco de Gama and April 25 bridges.
