Levant bridge
Historic site and monument Engineering structure Bridge
Presentation
The Martigues lifting bridge was built in 1962, it replaces the swing bridge connecting the Ile district to that of Jonquières. Although it is not rotating, it opens in two to allow boats coming from the Mediterranean Sea to pass.
The 40-meter-wide canal, accessible to the largest ships, required a specific type of crossing to restore the main traffic route running through the city. Since a high-level structure was not feasible, the crossing had to be capable of moving out of the way to allow ships to pass; it therefore had to be a movable bridge.
Plans for a two-lane crossing led to the construction of an initial bridge, approved in 1919 and completed in 1929. This was the original Martigues swing bridge—the predecessor to the current lift bridge. Operating horizontally, it pivoted on its axis to clear the channel for ships, stowing itself alongside and above the quay.
As traffic increased—and following damage sustained during World War II—the 1929 swing bridge gradually became a traffic bottleneck. Consequently, in 1958, a decision was made to divert traffic from the traditional route to the outskirts of the town and to build a new lift bridge.
The current lift bridge is designed to support a continuous stream of 35-tonne vehicles. Built and inaugurated on March 23, 1962, it opens in the middle, splitting into two sections—each a 28.50-meter span—via an electric mechanism operated by a bridge keeper stationed nearby in the Île district.
The new traffic route bypasses the Île district and runs along the Jonquières waterfront, connecting directly to the road to Marseille. Access to the bridge, which sits high above the quays, is via two steep ramps. The deck, featuring a slight humpback profile, rests on two slender box girders, giving the structure its remarkably sleek appearance. Lift bridge operating times:
- Year-round: 9:05 AM, 2:05 PM, and 7:05 PM.
- From June 15 to September 15: additional times at 6:05 AM, 10:55 AM, and 9:00 PM.
To facilitate the passage of cruise ships and the largest vessels, the Martigues lift bridge may also open without prior notice, outside the scheduled times listed above.
Plans for a two-lane crossing led to the construction of an initial bridge, approved in 1919 and completed in 1929. This was the original Martigues swing bridge—the predecessor to the current lift bridge. Operating horizontally, it pivoted on its axis to clear the channel for ships, stowing itself alongside and above the quay.
As traffic increased—and following damage sustained during World War II—the 1929 swing bridge gradually became a traffic bottleneck. Consequently, in 1958, a decision was made to divert traffic from the traditional route to the outskirts of the town and to build a new lift bridge.
The current lift bridge is designed to support a continuous stream of 35-tonne vehicles. Built and inaugurated on March 23, 1962, it opens in the middle, splitting into two sections—each a 28.50-meter span—via an electric mechanism operated by a bridge keeper stationed nearby in the Île district.
The new traffic route bypasses the Île district and runs along the Jonquières waterfront, connecting directly to the road to Marseille. Access to the bridge, which sits high above the quays, is via two steep ramps. The deck, featuring a slight humpback profile, rests on two slender box girders, giving the structure its remarkably sleek appearance. Lift bridge operating times:
- Year-round: 9:05 AM, 2:05 PM, and 7:05 PM.
- From June 15 to September 15: additional times at 6:05 AM, 10:55 AM, and 9:00 PM.
To facilitate the passage of cruise ships and the largest vessels, the Martigues lift bridge may also open without prior notice, outside the scheduled times listed above.
Labels
- categories :
General information
- Parking :
- Parking nearby
- Environments :
- In centre of town
- Town location
- Services :
- Pets welcome
Accessibility
- Accessible to disabled visitors :
- Reception staff sensitized to the reception of people with disabilities
Contact
Levant bridge
Quai Kléber
13500
Martigues
Phone : +33 4 42 40 60 60
Prices
Free access.
Destination
Pont Levant
Quai Kléber
13500
Martigues
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 43.404527
Longitude : 5.056822