Perth Bridge
The replacement bridge was completed in October 1771, which places it in the Georgian era (George Street, which leads up to the bridge from the city, was built at the same time); however, its plaque states the year in which construction began, 1766, as its "built" date. The engineer of its construction was John Smeaton, after whom the bridge is colloquially named.
Funded by Thomas Hay, 9th Earl of Kinnoull, the government, and public subscription, the bridge was put to the test three years after its completion. In February 1774, during a quick thaw, broken ice became wedged under the arches and created a natural dam. Large sections of Perth, including both of its Inches, were flooded. The bridge, however, stood firm. It has survived many subsequent floods, and marks documenting these levels are visible on one of its piers.
An increase in traffic resulted in the bridge being widened in 1869 by A.D. Stewart. Its stone parapets were removed, and footpaths projected over iron brackets.
Gallery
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The bridge as it was before being widened in 1869
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A plaque on the bridge
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Smeaton's Bridge, with St Matthew's Church, on Tay Street, on the left, looking north from Queen's Bridge
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A view from Bridgend's East Bridge Street to West Bridge Street, which traverses the bridge
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Flood water levels of the Tay etched into the bridge's brickwork
See also
- List of Category A listed buildings in Perth and Kinross
- List of listed buildings in Perth, Scotland
- 1814 Perth flood
- 1993 Perth flood
References
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Perth Bridge Over River Tay (Category A Listed Building) (LB39339)". Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ Civic History of Perth from Medieval Times – Perth Civic Trust
- ^ The Tourist's Hand-book to Perth and Neighbourhood (1849), p. 43
- ^ Perth and Kinross Council website - Lottery Levity 2
- ^ EngineeringTimelines.com
- ^ Official Guide to Perth and Its Neighbourhood by the Tramway Car Routes – Perth Town Council (1907), p. 6
- ^ "Bridges of Perth" at PerthCity.co.uk Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ HistoryCooperative.org - Neil MacDonald Archived 21 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine