"Bridges and crossings"a conference with many themes

Several technical themes are on the program for this event in which many engineers, technicians, academics are participating but also several former ministers such as Anne-Marie Idrac but especially Jean-Claude Gayssot and Jacques Godfrain, emblematic political figures linked to the Millau Viaduct.

The first was the one who decided to grant it a concession to the great dismay of his political friends at the time but also of the president of the general council at the time, Jean Puech, as he did not fail to point out Monday afternoon at the opening time of this conference.

Before him Christophe Saint Pierre, mayor of Millau, welcomed all the participants by presenting the city of which he is the chief magistrate.

A global but also historical presentation for which he did not fail to emphasize how over the centuries that of Millau is rhythmic “through the history of these bridges, vectors par excellence of its contacts with the South of France”. The latest being of course the Millau Viaduct “flagship element of the A75 which contributed to opening up our department”.

The importance of opening up

An analysis supported by the president of the Departmental Council, Arnaud Viala who did not fail to highlight the number of bridges and structures – more than 500 – for which his community is responsible. Works which are, for him, essential to opening up our department which is often defined as “an island in the middle of the land” for which the bridges are necessary for the latter.

Representative of Carole Delga, the president of the Region, Emmanuelle Gazel also greeted “technological prowess” represented by the Millau viaduct but also wanted to highlight regional transport policy and in particular the fight for multimodality with the defense of the Aubrac railway line. The opportunity for Jean-Claude Gayssot to recall the action he is leading with his friend Jacques Godfrain present at his side, aiming to have the Garabit and Millau viaducts recognized as UNESCO world heritage sites by highlighting their historical and technical importance in the field of civil engineering. A theme which will not fail to be addressed during this conference during which a visit to the Millau Viaduct is of course on the program as one might expect since Michel Virlogeux, designer of the latter with Norman Foster will be one of the participants in this conference.