Saturday, February 25, 2012

the Saltash Bridge, Plymouth, Devon, England

The Terence Cuneo poster for the centenary in 1959.
Officially known as the Royal Albert Bridge, this railway bridge spans the River Tamar in England between Plymouth, Devon and Saltash, Cornwall. Its distinctive design consists of 2 x 455 feet (138.7 metre) lenticular iron trusses 100 feet (30.5 metres) above the water, with conventional plate-girder approach spans - a total length of 2,188 feet (667 metres).

It was designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Surveying started in 1848 and construction commenced in 1854. The first main span was positioned in 1857 and the completed bridge was opened by Prince Albert on 2 May 1859. Brunel died later that year and his name was then placed above the portals at both ends as a memorial. Work was carried out during the 20th century to replace the approach spans and strengthen the main spans. It has attracted sightseers since its construction.

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