Sidi M'Cid Bridge

Sidi M'Cid Bridge is a 164 m long suspension bridge across the Rhumel River in Constantine, Algeria. It was opened to traffic in April 1912 and until 1929 was the highest bridge in the world at 175 m. The bridge was designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin and links the Casbah to Sidi M'Cid hill. The bridge underwent restoration in 2000 when 12 of its cables were replaced by the Algerian company SAPTA.[3][4]

The gorge beneath the bridge
Sidi M'Cid Bridge

جسر سيدي مسيد
Coordinates36°22′20.8″N 6°36′51.2″E
CarriesMotor vehicles, Pedestrians
CrossesGorge valley of the Rhumel River
LocaleConstantine, Algeria
Other name(s)قنطرة الحبال
(The cables Bridge)
Characteristics
No. of spans160 m (520 ft) [1]
Clearance below175 m (574 ft) [2]
History
DesignerFerdinand Arnodin
Construction start1909
OpenedApril 19, 1912
Statistics
TollFree
Location

History

Constantine was an important city of 50,000 people when Émile Morinaud took over as the mayor and member of parliament in 1901. During his time in power till 1934, he went about modernizing the city. The Sidi M'Cid bridge, the Sidi Rached bridge and many other prominent buildings were constructed in this period. The bridge remained the highest bridge in the world till the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado opened in November 1929.[5][6]

The Monument of the Dead is on one side of the bridge on the Sidi M'Cid hill. The monument is a replica of the Arch of Trajan in Timgad and commemorates the people of Constantine who laid down their lives fighting for France in the First World War. There is a natural bridge below the Sidi M'Cid bridge which blocks the view of the river from the bridge.[7]

  • The road and the pedestrian walkway
  • The view from beneath the bridge
  • The natural bridge beneath the Sidi M'Cid
  • Artwork depicting the bridge
  • The Sidi M'Cid hill on one side of the bridge
  • View of the Sidi M'Cid hill and the city
  • The archways on either side of the bridge

See also

References
  1. Sakowski (16 October 2009). "Sidi M'Cid Suspension Bridge". highestbridges.com. Constantine, Algeria: highestbridges. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  2. Nicolas Janberg (15 September 2009). "Sidi M'Cid Suspension Bridge". structurae.net. Constantine, Algeria: structurae. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  3. "SIDI M'CID BRIDGE". Afro Tourism. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  4. "Sidi M'Cid Bridge". Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  5. Daniel Biau The Bridge and the City, p. 237, at Google Books
  6. Anthony Ham Algeria, p. 119, at Google Books
  7. Anthony Ham Algeria, p. 120, at Google Books
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