Only within the last 20 years has precast concrete construction been used in the Portuguese infrastructure. This paper presents the new bridge over the Ave River in northeast Portugal as an example of the current technology of precast concrete. The 280 m (919 ft) long bridge is one of the most innovative precast concrete highway bridges built in northern Portugal. A detailed description of the design, fabrication, and construction is provided to explain the complexity of the designer’s structural solution. The structural division of Minho University in Guimarães, Portugal, provided scientific and technical support during the instrumentation of the girders and prepared the long-term monitoring plan. Results of load tests, details of the monitoring plan, and measurements obtained during prefabrication and in various construction stages are presented.
