Location Perth | Heritage status Category A listed Opened 1771 | |
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Address Perth PH2 7HA, United Kingdom Similar River Tay, Friarton Bridge, Kinnoull Hill, Tay Road Bridge, Tay Rail Bridge | ||
Perth Bridge (also known as Smeaton's Bridge, locally, the Old Bridge and in the local dialect of Scots, "the Auld Brig") is a toll-free bridge in the city of Perth, Scotland. It spans the River Tay, connecting Perth, on the eastern side of the river, to Bridgend, on its western side, carrying both automotive and pedestrian traffic of West Bridge Street (the A85). It is a Category A listed structure.
The bridge was completed in October 1771, which places it in the Georgian era; 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 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.