25th April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril)

The concept of spanning the river at this point was first conceived in the 19th century, aiming to replace the ferry service connecting Lisbon with Almada. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that technological advancements made such a feat possible. Approved by Salazar's government in 1958, the bridge, initially named after the dictator, was later renamed after the Carnation Revolution in 1974. The construction cost €27 million, taking 25 years of toll collection to recoup the investment.

Inspired by Leon Moisseiff's Golden Gate Bridge design, Ponte 25 de Abril mirrors its iconic colouring and exceeds its length by 100m. Although the bridge spanned the river Tejo (Tagus) at its narrowest point in Lisbon, it still traverses more than a kilometre over water making it the largest suspension bridge in Europe and the 20th longest in the world. The design choice was influenced by San Francisco's seismic activity, a shared concern with Lisbon. With foundations reaching 80m below the riverbed into basalt rock, the bridge stands 70 metres above the water, allowing shipping access to Lisbon's docks. Expanded from four to six lanes in the 1990s, it also accommodates a lower deck railway line, stretching over two kilometres with the viaduct on the northern bank.

	The bridge can get very busy with commuters during rush hour time, albeit with efforts to control the traffic flow into Lisbon by omitting tolls for cars travelling South and out of the city. At the time of writing this, the toll is €1.75. On an average day, 150,000 vehicles cross the bridge.
	Fertagus run services from Lisbon to the North and Setúbal to the South and traverses the 24 de Abril bridge to the Pragal train station. • Lisbon - Setubal Timetables | Website CP (Comboios de Portugal) trains which head South of Lisbon traverse the bridge: Intercity (Intercidades) trains to/from Évora and Beja • Linha do Alentejo: Timetable Portugal's High Speed National Service • Alfa Pendular Timetable Trains of Portugal Website
	Carris bus routes to/from Lisbon across the bridge to Centro Sul in Almada: • Bus 753: Timetable From here you can connect with Metro Transportes do Sul (MST) light railway services Website and TST buses Website

	Linha Cascais trains stop at the Alcantara-Mar train staion close by Timetable Trains of Portugal Website
	714, 727, 732, 751 or take the #15E (to Belém) tram from either Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço)

Contact Details
Pilar 7 da Ponte 25 de Abril, Avenida da Índia, 1349-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
38° 41' 59.7"N | 09° 10' 45.6"W | +351 211 117 880