Viaduct

engineering · bridges · architecture

Ancient Roman idea. The word viaduct comes from Latin: via means road and ducere means to lead. People in the 1800s named these bridges after Roman aqueducts because they both use lots of arches to span long distances.

Many connected arches. Instead of one big span, a viaduct uses a series of arches and strong pillars called piers to hold up the bridge. This design lets it carry heavy trains or roads across really wide valleys and obstacles.

Connects equal heights. Viaducts are special because they link two points that are about the same height up in the air, letting roads and trains go straight across instead of having to wind down and back up around obstacles like rivers and valleys.

Perfect for railroads. Viaducts became super popular in the 1800s for carrying railroad tracks across difficult terrain, making it possible to build railway routes that would have been impossible with regular ground-level tracks.