Suspension bridges road
Encyclopedia
The Hang Suspension Bridges Road is the ancient route linking the Valley Traslasierra with the city of Villa Carlos Paz
(Punilla Valley
) in the Córdoba Province
, Argentina
. Its outstanding feature, which gives it its name, is the existence of several suspension bridges erected across mountain streams.
acted as a barrier dividing the territory and hampering communications between populations located east and west of the summits of Achala
. A major advocate for development in the Traslasierra Valley was the priest Brochero who argued vehemently before the authorities in 1883 on the need for construction of better roads.
In 1914 studies were completed and a proposal was made to build a road through the Sierras Grandes. The route would follow a public bridle path previously used by walkers, horses and mules and would have a width of five or six meters. Defensive structures would be used to avoid damage by flood water, and drainage channels, fords, culverts and suspension bridges would be built.
On 3 January, 1915 the work was started after a ceremony at the home of Don Carlos Nicander Peace. The Governor of Cordoba, Ramón J. Carcano, said in his speech that the road to the summits would be a way of beauty. It would start from the liquid diamond edge of a lake, wind between green hills, up cultivated valleys, through primitive forests, over dark gorges with hanging bridges, cross streams and reach summits gilded by the sun and clouds.
in the event of bad weather.
Two stone memorials, one in Copina and another in the Pampa de Achala, were erected with the following inscriptions:
Dr. Ramon J. Carcano was about to conclude his term as Governor and hand over to his successor. Before this, he inaugurated the first four stages at a place called the creeks in Pampa de Achala
on March 2, 1916. A convoy of sixty vehicles led by Carcano drove there and the event was attended by numerous people on mules and horseback because that stretch of road had not yet been constructed. At this ceremony, Fray Jose Maria Lichens made a speech praising the building of a road which would unite the scattered members of the Cordoba community and carry civilization into the interior, extending the kingdom of truth and brotherhood between souls.
Road construction at that time was quite a feat. The men had to overcome the mountainous territory with hand tools and explosives. After much exertion from the workers, the road was completed in 1918 and was officially opened on 22 October of that year, in a ceremony in the City of Villa Dolores
that was chaired by Governor Julio C. Borda. A journalist who attended the opening ceremony wrote: The road winds up through a maze of twists and turns and travellers face death every time they round the tight corners and traverse the stony balconies.
This spectacular road, winding as it does through the mountains, crossing gorges by suspension bridges and traversing imposing cliffs, made it a unique part of the route for the epic Grand Prix, Rally Argentina
. It was known as the condor
stretch. Over time, this narrow and winding road, with its bridges, threatening chasms and steep gradients, proved insufficient for modern traffic. So in 1956, a study was undertaken to select a route for a new road across the mountains, the Camino de las Altas Cumbres
.
Villa Carlos Paz
Villa Carlos Paz is a city in the center-north of the province of Córdoba, Argentina, in the south of the Punilla Valley, lying on the western slope of the Sierras Chicas. It has a population of about 56,000 as per the...
(Punilla Valley
Punilla Valley
The Punilla Valley is a broad fluvial valley in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. It is located in the center-northwest of the province, bordered by the Sierras Chicas in the east and the Sierras Grandes and the Achala Pamp in the west, oriented from north to south...
) in the Córdoba Province
Córdoba Province (Argentina)
Córdoba is a province of Argentina, located in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces are : Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires, La Pampa, San Luis, La Rioja and Catamarca...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Its outstanding feature, which gives it its name, is the existence of several suspension bridges erected across mountain streams.
The work
In the Province of Cordoba, the mountain range of Sierras GrandesSierras pampeanas
The Sierras pampeanas or Pampas Sierras is a geographical region of Argentina.The Sierras pampeanas are a chain of mountains that rise sharply from the surrounding pampa region of Northwest Argentina...
acted as a barrier dividing the territory and hampering communications between populations located east and west of the summits of Achala
Pampa de Achala
Pampa de Achala is the name given to a vast region that lies at the heart of the Sierras de Córdoba located within Sierras Pampeanas, and located in central-northwest of Argentina....
. A major advocate for development in the Traslasierra Valley was the priest Brochero who argued vehemently before the authorities in 1883 on the need for construction of better roads.
In 1914 studies were completed and a proposal was made to build a road through the Sierras Grandes. The route would follow a public bridle path previously used by walkers, horses and mules and would have a width of five or six meters. Defensive structures would be used to avoid damage by flood water, and drainage channels, fords, culverts and suspension bridges would be built.
On 3 January, 1915 the work was started after a ceremony at the home of Don Carlos Nicander Peace. The Governor of Cordoba, Ramón J. Carcano, said in his speech that the road to the summits would be a way of beauty. It would start from the liquid diamond edge of a lake, wind between green hills, up cultivated valleys, through primitive forests, over dark gorges with hanging bridges, cross streams and reach summits gilded by the sun and clouds.
Construction
The road would be nearly 93 kilometers in length and the work was auctioned in six tranches. Contracts were awarded to Damaso Garcia, Agustin Maury, Osvaldo Pedro Ortiz and Payer. The construction of 120 meters of suspension bridges were to be the responsibility of Joseph B. Barros. The project envisaged the construction of a corral and a stone masonry building at the foot of Copina for the accommodation of droversDroving
Droving is the practice of moving livestock over large distances by walking them "on the hoof".Droving stock to market, usually on foot and often with the aid of dogs, has a very long history in the old world...
in the event of bad weather.
Two stone memorials, one in Copina and another in the Pampa de Achala, were erected with the following inscriptions:
- COPINE / height above the sea 1448 m / CORDOBA 73 Km (sic) / Mina Clavero 60 km / 1915.
- ROAD TO THE SUMMIT / 1915 / Pampa de Achala / 2.200 mts. (sic) above the sea.
Dr. Ramon J. Carcano was about to conclude his term as Governor and hand over to his successor. Before this, he inaugurated the first four stages at a place called the creeks in Pampa de Achala
Pampa de Achala
Pampa de Achala is the name given to a vast region that lies at the heart of the Sierras de Córdoba located within Sierras Pampeanas, and located in central-northwest of Argentina....
on March 2, 1916. A convoy of sixty vehicles led by Carcano drove there and the event was attended by numerous people on mules and horseback because that stretch of road had not yet been constructed. At this ceremony, Fray Jose Maria Lichens made a speech praising the building of a road which would unite the scattered members of the Cordoba community and carry civilization into the interior, extending the kingdom of truth and brotherhood between souls.
Road construction at that time was quite a feat. The men had to overcome the mountainous territory with hand tools and explosives. After much exertion from the workers, the road was completed in 1918 and was officially opened on 22 October of that year, in a ceremony in the City of Villa Dolores
Villa Dolores
Villa Dolores is a small city in the province of Cordoba, Argentina located in the southwestern side of the province with a population is approximately 40,000 inhabitants....
that was chaired by Governor Julio C. Borda. A journalist who attended the opening ceremony wrote: The road winds up through a maze of twists and turns and travellers face death every time they round the tight corners and traverse the stony balconies.
This spectacular road, winding as it does through the mountains, crossing gorges by suspension bridges and traversing imposing cliffs, made it a unique part of the route for the epic Grand Prix, Rally Argentina
Rally Argentina
The Rally Argentina is an Argentine rally competition that has been both a round of the World Rally Championship and also the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The rally is also a round of the South American Rally Championship and the Argentine Rally Championship...
. It was known as the condor
Condor
Condor is the name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.They are:* The Andean Condor which inhabits the Andean mountains....
stretch. Over time, this narrow and winding road, with its bridges, threatening chasms and steep gradients, proved insufficient for modern traffic. So in 1956, a study was undertaken to select a route for a new road across the mountains, the Camino de las Altas Cumbres
Camino de las Altas Cumbres
In the last years of the 1950s, it became clear that there was a need to modernize the old Suspension bridges road in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Increasing traffic and trade between the provinces of Cordoba Mendoza and San Juan needed new roads to expedite travelling times and decrease costs...
.