Union Chain Bridge

Coordinates: 55°45′09″N 2°06′25″W / 55.7525°N 2.107°W / 55.7525; -2.107
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Union Bridge
The bridge from the north on the Scottish bank
Coordinates55°45′09″N 2°06′25″W / 55.7525°N 2.107°W / 55.7525; -2.107
CrossesRiver Tweed
Characteristics
No. of spans1
History
DesignerCaptain Samuel Brown
Construction start1819
Opened26 July 1820; 203 years ago (1820-07-26)
Location
Map

The Union Chain Bridge links England and Scotland across the River Tweed. It opened in 1820. It is the oldest vehicle-carrying catenary bridge in the world. it is 137 metres long. When it opened, its span made it the longest bridge in the world. It was designed by Samuel Brown who was a British Royal Naval officer who also designed cables for ships made from iron chains.

It was restored in 2023. The weight limit was raised from 2 tonnes to 3 tonnes. It is is Grade I listed in England and Grade A listed in Scotland. The American Society of Civil Engineers listed the bridge as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. [1]

References[change | change source]

  1. Smith, Claire (2023-07-07). "Union Chain Bridge formally designated as an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark". New Civil Engineer. Retrieved 2023-07-18.