Paul Sauer Bridge

Paul Sauer Bridge
The N2 concrete arch bridge over the Storms River
Coordinates	33°58′6.56″S 23°55′53.57″E / 33.9684889°S 23.9315472°E / -33.9684889; 23.9315472
Carries	N2 national highway.
Crosses	Storms River
Locale	Eastern Cape, South Africa
Characteristics
Design	Arch bridge
Material	Concrete
Height	120 metres (394 ft)
Longest span	100 metres (328 ft)
History
Designer	Riccardo Morandi
Construction start	1953
Construction end	1956
Construction cost	₤100,000

The Paul Sauer Bridge, also known as the Storms River Bridge, is an arch bridge over the Storms River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The bridge is located on the Garden Route section of National Route 2, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. At a maximum height of 120 metres (394 ft) above the Storms River, it was the highest concrete arch in Africa until the Bloukrans Bridge, 216 metres (709 ft), opened on the same road in 1984.

The bridge was designed by Italian engineer Riccardo Morandi, and constructed between 1953 and 1956. It spans 100 metres (328 ft) and sits 120 metres (394 ft) above the river.

The main arch structure was constructed in a unique fashion: each half of the two (adjacent) arches was built with climbing formwork in an essentially vertical position on opposite sides of the gorge. These were then rotated and lowered into position to meet at the centre, thus forming the completed arch structure. The Paul Sauer Bridge was renovated in 1986.