The Pont Aval, inaugurated in 1968, is a striking example of modern engineering, stretching 312.5 meters in length and 34 meters in width.
Situated between the 15th and 16th arrondissements, the bridge crosses the Seine and connects the Quai Saint-Exupéry and Quai du Point-du-Jour on the right bank, with the Quai d’Issy-les-Moulineaux and Quai du Président-Roosevelt on the left bank.
One of the unique aspects of the Pont Aval is that it was constructed specifically for vehicular traffic, making it part of the Boulevard Périphérique ring road. Unlike many other bridges in Paris, it does not accommodate pedestrian or cyclist traffic, focusing solely on motor vehicles.
The bridge features a design with four spans—71.5 meters, 81.5 meters, 92 meters, and 67.5 meters. Its construction was led by the architect Luc Arsène-Henry under the direction of a team of engineers, with Campenon-Bernard overseeing the building process.
Though it is not officially named, the Pont Aval is referred to as such due to its location downstream (or “aval”) of other major bridges in Paris, including the Pont du Garigliano.
Its design was groundbreaking for its time, utilizing pre-stressed concrete and complex engineering techniques, including the use of prefabricated segments, which made it a marvel of modern infrastructure at the time of its completion.