It was opened in 1961 as a replacement for the Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3913814856488297"; Mott, Hay and Anderson were appointed as consultant engineers.[9]. Regular maintenance and repairs were made, but a lack of serious inspections meant that the major signs of strains both in the eyebars and other parts of the concrete and steel supports were missed. In December 1952, the bridge opened while a number 78 doubledecker bus was on it. This was supposed to be the strongest steel ever made. Videos.

On December 15, 1967, it crumbled into the Ohio River during rush hour, killing 46 people without warning. By 1975 traffic had increased to 40,000 vehicles per day and the bridge was widened again adding a fourth lane; the approach roads were improved creating a better flow on and off the bridge. [22], Traffic on the bridge continued to grow to over 80,000 vehicles a day, and there was frequent congestion. courses that prepare you to earn This documentary, "Silver Lining: The Catastrophe that Lead to the Creation of the National … Learn about London It takes 61 seconds to open Tower Bridge, which opens about 1,000 times a year. There's a lot of interesting material available online now, about the Silver Bridge Disaster. Woodlands Junior Homework Help new website, Facts about Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales, Learn about England and the other countries in Britain. Top International Business Degree Programs - Denver, CO, Top School in Charlotte, NC, for Hospitality Management Degrees, Top School in Indianapolis for Operations Management Courses, Online Electromechanical Engineering Courses and Training Information, Visual Literacy Vs Visual Communication Whats the Difference, Online Courses in Geriatrics Course Descriptions, Architecture & Design of Famous Churches & Cathedrals, Introduction to Textiles & the Textile Industry, NES Music - WEST (504): Practice & Study Guide, Praxis Art - Content Knowledge (5134): Practice & Study Guide, UExcel Introduction to Philosophy: Study Guide & Test Prep, What Is the Holy Trinity? 's' : ''}}.

Massive engines raise the bridge sections, which weigh about 1000 tons each, in "2. The contractors for the first phase of work, Leonard Fairclough of Adlington, cleared the ground and constructed the foundations for the piers. [13] The approaches on the Runcorn side blocked the Bridgewater Canal at Waterloo Bridge and the line of locks leading down to the Mersey were filled in. From what I understand, the incorrect size was installed on the bridge when it was built due to an error in the original plans for the bridge. You can test out of the just over a minute.

The bridge was dubbed the 'Silver Bridge' because it was the country's first aluminumpainted bridge. Tower Bridge is the only bridge over the Thames that can be raised as it is a combined bascule (drawbridge) and suspension bridge. Another piece of the bridge can be seen at a state rest area about 1 mile north of the bridge site on OH-7. This festival is a weekend-long festival help every September on the 3. Pieces of the bridge can be seen at Point Pleasant River Museum. The carriageway was suspended from the arch by 48 lock-coil wire ropes. [14] The bridge was officially opened as the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge by Princess Alexandra on 21 July 1961. Its height over the river bed is 285 feet (87 m) and the headroom over the ship canal is 80 feet (24 m). Although eyebar chain bridges had been built around the world since the early 19th century, the Silver Bridge used a modified design without the extra redundancy of earlier eyebar chain bridges. Historic bridges such as metal truss bridges can be restored and fitted with devices that provide levels of safety and control just as robust as any modern bridge. - History & Terms, What is Cyberstalking?

Many also placed blame upon the Mothman, a mysterious creature of West Virginia folklore who was said to be a herald of disaster and purportedly seen several times near the bridge around that date. The next idea was for a suspension bridge with a span of 343 yards (314 m) between the main towers with an 8 yards (7 m) single carriageway and a 2-yard (2 m) footpath. bridge: Asian cantilever and arch bridges. [3] However it is open to pedestrians and cyclists. Read about the Tower of London, Back to Buildings and landmarks of London,