Arch bridges are built since two thousand years at least. Structural materials changed during this time. The design methods were changed also. The biggest impact was noted with development of Finite Element Method and graphical methods of preparation of technical drawings which is strictly combined with development of computers. These processes appeared also in Polish construction industry, especially from the beginning of 90-ties XX century.

But in this paper we do not consider mentioned above problems. We would like to present development of arch bridges from construction technology point of view. This aspect of creation of bridge structures is not very often the subject-matter of analysis. For many investors, design engineers and contractors optimization of structures is most important issue. For most of them the reduction of volume (weight) of structural material is only solution. But sometimes it is not true – the construction technology gives much more efficient results.

We present below examples of realization in Poland medium and large span arch bridges – steel, concrete and hybrid structures.

In the latest period hundreds of concrete viaducts were built in Poland within a short time range. The cases of destruction of concrete road viaducts described by the author in the article concern in the construction of such structures in various parts of our country, such as central regions of Poland, Warmia-Masuria, south – east - a total of about 30 objects. The occurring phenomenon is related to the micro cracks of the cement matrix which are not visible on the surface of the elements and become visible only after the cyclic freezing process as a result of the standard F150 frost resistance test, the so-called the standard method according to Annex N to the PN-B-06265: 2018 standard. The destruction took an unprecedented course and aroused much discussion in the scientific community. This article summarizes this discussion and indicates the root cause of the destruction.