Overview:

is a cantilever bridge that spans Lake Maracaibo, linking the Maracaibo city on the south side of the lake with the center of the state on the north side. It has a total length of 2.750 m (9,022 ft). The bridge carries four lanes of traffic and is held up by two main pylons. The bridge was built to replace the Shell Oil Pipeline, which was the only land connection between the south and northern parts of the state. It is currently the longest bridge in Venezuela and the fourth longest bridge in Latin America. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Venezuela
Prominent Features:

The Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, located in Zulia State in Venezuela, is one of the most striking landmarks in the region. Spanning an impressive 4.2km across the Lake of Maracaibo, the bridge was completed in 1962. This impressive feat of structural engineering was designed by the Italian Eugenio Cenzi, and it is the longest bridge in Venezuela and one of the longest bridges in South America. The bridge is a suspension bridge with four main spans consisting of two 150 meter stressed ribbed deck sections and two 180 meter main cable sections. It is made of 879 beams and is supported by 32 steel and concrete pillars, which rise 65 meters above the surface of the water. The bridge is an important transportation link for the region, connecting the city of Maracaibo with other cities in the Zulia state as well as connecting it with the rest of Venezuela and the Caribbean. The bridge is also used for industrial as well as recreational purposes, and the spectacular lights spread across the bridge make it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. This national monument of Venezuela portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is an overhead bridge that crosses over the Güiria Channel in Zulia State in western Venezuela. It connects the towns of Güiria and Cumaná in Sucre State and serves as the main gateway between them. The bridge was originally conceived and planned by General Rafael Urdaneta in the 1810s, shortly after his ascension to power in the region. Construction on the bridge began in 1820, and it was completed by 1823. The bridge has experienced some serious damage over the years, notably in 1975 when heavy flooding partially destroyed it. The bridge has been restored many times, most recently under the Chavez administration, when massive repairs and reconstructions were completed during the 2000s. Today, the bridge continues to play a crucial role in connecting the two towns, not just for their trade, but also for tourism. In recent years, it has gained the reputation of being one of the most spectacular bridges to cross in the entire country. A popular saying in Venezuela goes “si quieras ver la gloria, a la puente de Urdaneta pasan” which means, “If you want to see glory, pass by the Urdaneta bridge”. You must visit one of these historical places in Venezuela on your Venezuela tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is the longest bridge in Venezuela and the second longest bridge in South America. It stretches 13.2 km over the Lake Maracaibo in the northwestern part of the country. 2. The bridge is named after Venezuelan soldier and politician Rafael Urdaneta, who fought in the Battle of Lake Maracaibo in 1823 and served as General in the Venezuelan War of Independence. 3. The bridge was built between 1954 and 1962, and inaugurated in 1962. 4. It had been a long-term goal of Venezuelan military dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez to build a bridge across the lake, to facilitate the development of the region and to create an easier connection between Venezuela and Colombia. 5. The bridge was constructed by Ulises Urdaneta of the construction firm Taboada & Urdaneta and the American company Cherry & Webb. 6. It has a total of 106 spans, of which 82 are 44 m long and 24 are 9 m long. 7. It is the first bridge to use the Moveable Orthotropic Plate Deck System, which means that its capacity for expansion and contraction increases its safety and performance. 8. The bridge is also the first concrete bridge in Venezuela and has two traffic lanes for cars and another two lanes for pedestrians. Visit one of the famous monuments of Venezuela with your friends and family.