A bridge that brings Agrigento and Caltanissetta closer to Sicily

On July 17th, the San Giuliano Viaduct was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Transport, the Honorable Matteo Salvini, ANAS executives, and local and regional administrators. The viaduct is part of the modernization and upgrade works for State Road 640 (S.S. 640) of Porto Empedocle, further connecting Agrigento and Caltanissetta to the rest of Sicily.

This structure, which is of strategic importance, stands as a benchmark in the infrastructure sector with its lower-deck arch static scheme, featuring a span of 170 meters, a deck width of 17.5 meters, and an arch height of approximately 45 meters.

The metal deck is composed of two tie beams (or chain beams) supporting a set of cross beams and stringers, all with double-T sections. The tie beams, in turn, are connected to the two arches by means of stays (or hangers).

Its construction required a meticulous launching plan, which first involved the creation of a temporary reinforced concrete pier, followed by the use of: a hydraulic pushing system, a specially designed launching nose, 5 temporary towers positioned on the tie beam level, and finally, the deployment of several cranes, including a 500-ton lattice crane, which made the entire operation both spectacular and challenging.