Pont Gustave-Flaubert 3.53

The Pont Gustave-Flaubert is a vertical-lift bridge over the River Seine in Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, France. It officially opened on 25 September 2008 after four years of work.The bridge itself cost approximately to build, but the associated approach roads and other infrastructure made the total cost €137 million. Construction work began in June 2004. Rouen City Council named the bridge on 15 December 2006, after the famous 19th-century novelist Gustave Flaubert, who was born and died in Rouen.HistoryConstructionThe contract for the bridge construction, without the approaching viaducts, was €60 million. It was won by Quille, a subsidiary of Bouygues, in association with the Eiffel company, Eiffage and the Belgian firm Victor Buyck. The total cost of construction, including the approaches, was €137 million. The déclaration d'utilité publique passed in September 2001.Work began in June 2004. The installation of "butterflies" (supporting trusses) at the top of the stanchions was completed on 16 and 17 August 2006; the approaches were completed on 21 and 22 August 2006.On 14 April 2007, the barque Belem, which had been docked for a month, went under the bridge, after initial tests that allowed the bridge to lift enough to let her pass. A crowd from Rouen was present to celebrate the event.