Body of water River Clyde | ||
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Similar River Clyde, Albert Bridge - Glasgow, George V Bridge - Glasgow, Rutherglen Bridge, Caledonian Railway Bridge | ||
Victoria Bridge is a category A listed road bridge spanning the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Victoria Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge in Glasgow, lying at the foot of Stockwell Street in the city centre.
Contents
History
Victoria Bridge is built on the site of the first recorded bridge over the Clyde; a timber bridge believed to exist in 1285 and described as "Glaskow bryg, that byggt was of tre" in Henry the Minstrel's epic poem on Sir William Wallace. In 1345 Bishop Rae replaced the timber bridge with the Bishop's Bridge, located on the same site built in 1345 by Bishop Rae. Bishop's Bridge was originailly 12 ft wide, but was widened by 10 ft in 1777.
By 1851 Glasgow's population had risen to 329,000 having doubled in the previous 25 years and the old bridge couldn't cope with current demands, and needed to be replaced.
Construction
A new 50 ft wide masonry arch bridge was designed by James Walker and constructed by William York, Esq. to replace Bishop's bridge, with foundations 19 ft below those of the old bridge, and timber piles which were steam-driven a further 14 ft below that.
Named after Queen Victoria, when the bridge opened in 1854, Glasgow had one of the two widest bridges in Britain - London's widest at that time was only 54 ft. Following this impressive feat of engineering, York was presented with a silver epergne centerpiece to commemorate the achievement.
The bridge carries the western arm of the A8 across the River Clyde. It is one way city-bound with 2 lanes. However, it also has a contraflow Bus, Cycle and Taxi lane. It is complemented by the Albert Bridge on the other side of the railway bridge, which is also two-way.
On the northern shore, the A8 immediately crosses the A814, to take Bridgegate towards Glasgow Cross. Meanwhile, on the southern shore, the A8 takes Gorbals Street as far as Norfolk Street, which is the A8 in both directions, Gorbals Street becoming the A730.