Newport Transporter Bridge

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Coordinates: 51°34′14″N, 2°59′9″W

Newport Transporter Bridge
Newport Transporter Bridge
Newport Transporter Bridge from the east bank.
Official name Newport Transporter Bridge
Carries Motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians
Crosses River Usk
Locale Newport
Maintained by Newport City Council
Design Transporter bridge
Longest span 594 feet (181 metres)
Total length 645 feet (196.6111 metres)
Width Three cars (gondola)
(total width 108 ft / 33 m)
Opening date 12 September 1906
Toll Motorcycles, Pedal cycles and pedestrians - free
Cars - 50p

The Newport Transporter Bridge is a crossing of the River Usk in the city of Newport, South Wales in the United Kingdom. It is a Grade I listed structure. Designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin, it was built in 1906 and opened by Godfrey Charles Morgan, 1st Viscount Tredegar on 12 September 1906. The span is an example of the very rare transporter bridge concept, of which only eight exist worldwide.

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[edit] Reason for the Transporter Design

The design was chosen because the river banks are very low at the desired crossing point (a few miles south of the city centre) where an ordinary bridge would need a very long approach ramp to attain sufficient height to allow ships to pass under, and a ferry could not be used during low tide at the site.

The height of the towers is 242 feet (74 metres) and the height of the horizontal beam above the road is 177 feet (54 metres) [1]. The transporter platform [2] or gondola [3] travels the 592 feet (181 metres) between the towers at ten feet (three metres) per second, powered from the engine room [4].

[edit] Other Information

The bridge was shut down in 1985 because of wear. Following a £3 million refurbishment, it reopened in 1995 and continues to operate today. Today, the bridge is widely regarded as the most recognisable symbol of the city of Newport.

The bridge forms part of the classified highway network and is also where route 4 of the National Cycle Network crosses the River Usk and route 47 begins.

It was the focal point of the local millennium celebrations of 2000, where fireworks were fired from its length, and has been featured in several movies and television shows. It was the centrepiece of the Crow Point Festival in September 2006 to celebrate its centenary. It is used for charity events such as sponsored abseils

Travel across the bridge is free for all kinds of bikes and pedestrians, but the fare for cars is 50p. The walkway across the top of the bridge structure is open to the public on bank holidays, this is also free.

The bridge is now open on weekends only, but as of January 2008 the bridge has been closed for crossings while necessary maintenance is carried out.

[edit] Gallery

The ferry platform crossing the bridge.

The ferry platform, which can take six cars and 120 foot passengers, crossing the River Usk

General view of the ferry platform, waiting for more vehicles to arrive

Information notice attached to the bridge approach.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


Crossings of the River Usk, Newport, UK, north to south
Caerleon Bridge | St. Julian's railway bridge | M4 motorway Usk bridge | Great Western Railway Usk bridge | Newport Bridge | Newport City footbridge | George Street Bridge | City Bridge | Newport Transporter Bridge
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