HIGH ANXIETY - WORLD'S LONGEST PEDESTRIAN SUSPENSION BRIDGE OPENS IN PORTUGAL

 Reuters 29 April 2021 

© Reuters/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA People walk on the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge '516 Arouca', in Arouca

By Catarina Demony and Miguel Pereira

AROUCA, Portugal (Reuters) - Hugo Xavier became one of the first people to cross the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge when it opened on Thursday near his tiny hometown of Arouca in northern Portugal.

"Oh...here we go!," the 42-year-old said anxiously as he gathered enough courage to step onto the see-through metal grid pathway of the 516-metre-long (1693-ft) bridge alongside his equally jittery partner and a tour guide.

© Reuters/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA People walk on the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge '516 Arouca', in Arouca

Hidden between rock-strewn mountains covered with lush greenery and yellow flowers inside the UNESCO-recognised Arouca Geopark, the bridge hangs 175 meters above the fast-flowing River Paiva.

The landscape is calm, but the crossing is not for the faint-hearted. Held up by steel cables and two massive towers on each side, it wobbles a little with every step.

© Reuters/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA People walk on the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge '516 Arouca', in Arouca

"I was a little afraid, but it was so worth it," a relieved Xavier said already on the other side. "It was extraordinary, a unique experience, an adrenaline rush."

The bridge opened only to local residents on Thursday, but from Monday everyone can book a visit.

Locals hope the attraction, which cost about 2.3 million euros ($2.8 million) and took around two years to build, will help revive the region, especially after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract more investment, more people," said tour guide Emanuel, adding that the region was rapidly ageing as many young people moved to big cities. "It will bring a new dynamic to Arouca."

© Reuters/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA People walk on the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge '516 Arouca', in Arouca

Standing on the bridge, the mayor of Arouca, Margarida Belem, said the bridge was part of a wider strategy to encourage more people to move and stay in the region.

© Reuters/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA People walk on the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge '516 Arouca', in Arouca

"There were many challenges that we had to overcome... but we did it," the visibly proud mayor told Reuters. "There's no other bridge like this one in the world."

($1 = 0.8254 euros)

(Reporting by Catarina Demony, Miguel Pereira and Violeta Moura; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Raissa Kasolowsky)