The Albatros Bridge is located in Puerto Lázaro Cárdenas in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, and connects the islands of Enmedio and Cayacal; it is the first bascule bridge in Mexico and in all of Latin America.
The Albatros Bridge has a 2.5 kilometers long, with the option of opening the central section without interrupting ship traffic, leaving a space of 60 meters using a folding metal frame that is raised by three coils that drive the pistons, which in turn operate the hydraulic system. It is 16 meters wide and has four traffic lanes. The materials most commonly used in its construction were concrete and steel.
The total opening and closing time is 6 minutes, and thanks to its design, it saves time and fuel, as it greatly facilitates the transport of goods from the port and also ensures safer movement, which means a a major step forward for the port.
The bridge is equipped with a series of devices designed to protect its structure in the event of an earthquake. The project required an investment of about 700 million pesos, which is equivalent to about 37 million euros, and generated more than 400 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs. Construction on the Albatros Bridge began in 2005 and was completed in 2010.
