Which term denotes a bridge with several small spans constructed over a valley or busy locality?

• A. Viaduct
• B. Bridge
• C. Fly-over/Over-Bridge
• D. Substructure

Answer: (A)

A bridge made up of several small spans across a valley or busy locality is called a viaduct. A viaduct is essentially a long structure composed of multiple short spans—often arches or concrete spans—supported by many piers. This arrangement lets the bridge cover a wide obstacle while keeping the deck at suitable heights for traffic beneath and maintaining alignment over a considerable distance.

This differs from a single-span bridge, which uses just one span to cross the obstacle, and from a flyover/over-bridge, which is an elevated road crossing over another road (emphasizing its purpose rather than the number of spans). The substructure refers to the parts supporting the bridge—like foundations and piers—rather than the overall type of crossing.