Record-high French bridge earned above expectations in the first year

PARIS - Over the viaduct near the southern French town of Millau, which at 343 meters is the tallest structure in the country, a quarter more cars crossed in the first year after its opening than expected, and the revenue was higher by a fifth. This was announced by Eiffage, the company that built it and holds a 75-year concession for its use.
In the first year, 4.43 million vehicles crossed the bridge, averaging over 12,000 daily. The most - 50,018 - crossed on July 30. The annual revenue reached 24 million euros (720 million crowns) instead of the anticipated 20 million.
The bridge enabled a highway connection between Paris and the south of the country, and even Catalonia, via Clermont-Ferrand. Thanks to it, the huge annual summer traffic jams near Millau have been eliminated.
Its highest pylon exceeds the Eiffel Tower by 23 meters. The bridge is 2,430 meters long. Its construction cost nearly 400 million euros. It is an extraordinary work also from an aesthetic point of view.
Crossing the bridge costs 4.90 euros, rising to 6.50 in July and August, and trucks pay 20 euros. Eiffage will request permission from the Ministry of Finance to increase tolls in February in line with inflation.