science · 29 May 1905 · 119 years ago
In 1905, the Runcorn-Widnes Transporter Bridge was opened to replace a ferry across the River Mersey. It was the first of its kind in Britain: a high-level gantry along which a wheeled trolley travelled with a cargo-carrying platform suspended beneath it at ground level. Thus traffic could cross the river using a bridge that needed no long approach ramps required for a high-level road bridge, and yet permitted tall, ocean-going ships to pass beneath the structure. The span of the bridge was 1000-ft (305-m) with towers standing 190-ft (58-m) above high water. It was the largest of its type ever built in the world, designed by John Webster and John Wood. It closed on 22 Jul 1961 and shortly afterwards was demolished.
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