Engineers Build Ocean Runway: Planes Take Off From Giant Bridge Structure
Situated on the Madeira Islands, a territory of Portugal, and nestled between towering mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira Airport (FNC) is making its mark on aviation history with its groundbreaking architecture. Due to geographical constraints, engineers on the island, where extending the runway was not an option, found a solution in extending the runway over the ocean by constructing a massive concrete bridge.
The airport's runway, initially opened in 1964 and stretching only 1,600 meters, posed a rather short and risky structure for jet aircraft.
This peril tragically escalated in 1977 with the TAP Air Portugal disaster, which claimed the lives of 131 people. The expansion efforts initiated in the aftermath of the accident couldn't be carried out using traditional landfill methods due to the island's steep terrain and the ocean's depth.
An unconventional project developed by the Portuguese engineer A. Segadães Tavares provided a solution. The final 1,000 meters of the runway were designed as a colossal viaduct rising above the ocean.
The runway, which was put into service in September 2000 and extended to a total length of 2,781 meters, was constructed to absorb the intense dynamic loads generated by aircraft during takeoff and landing.
Situated approximately 57 meters above sea level, this colossal platform is supported by nearly 180 massive columns, resembling a concrete forest.
Unlike airports such as Kansai or Hong Kong, which are built on artificial islands, Madeira stands out as the only airport in the world constructed directly on a viaduct. This unique feature has earned it significant prestige on the international stage.
The structure was honored with the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award in 2004, an accolade often referred to as the 'Oscar of structural engineering'. Then, in 2011, it etched its name into the Guinness World Records book as the 'Longest Bridge Deck Extension' in the world, with its platform stretching an impressive 1,020 meters.
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