Photographs Of Newcastle: High Level Bridge

Designed by Robert Stephenson and built between 1847 and 1849, it is the first major example of a wrought iron tied arch or bow-string girder bridge. It is a fine and long standing engineering solution to a difficult problem; the spanning of 1337 feet of river valley, including 512 feet across water. The High Level Bridge has six river spans of 125 feet (38 m) length, sitting on masonry piers, 46 by 16 feet in section and up to 131 feet (40 m) height. There are also four land spans on each side, of 36 feet 3 inches. The single carriageway road and pedestrian walkways occupy the lower deck of the spans, 85 feet above the high water mark, and the railway the upper deck 112 above the high water mark. The total weight of the structure is 5,000 tons.

The bridge was closed to road traffic in February 2005 to allow essential maintenance to ensure the bridge's long-term future, including replacement of wooden supports beneath the road deck. It was expected to reopen in late-2005, however, the reopening has now slipped as severe cracks were found in some of the bridge's iron girders. Having assessed the bridge, engineers have decided a crash barrier on each side of the roadway is necessary, meaning that there will be space for only one lane of traffic when the bridge reopens.

Description courtesy of Wikipedia.

6th October 2024

28th August 2023

17th July 2023

Harry Clasper Plaque.

The plaque reads: Henry ‘Harry’ Clasper 1812-1870 World champion rower and pioneering boat builder: the father of modern rowing.

“Competed in over 130 races, many on the Tyne from High Level Bridge to Scotswood Bridge.

27th December 2018

20th July 2018

16th April 2018

8th January 2018

22nd December 2015

17th September 2015

8th January 2015

3rd December 2014

9th July 2014

30th January 2014

25th November 2013

21st October 2012

16th January 2012

12th September 2010

The High Level Bridge from The Castle Keep.

10th December 2009

11th May 2009

25th April 2009

13th September 2008

Taken from the nearby Castle Keep.

26th July 2008

4th June 2008

2nd June 2008

2nd May 2008

24th March 2008

7th March 2008

11th February 2008

10th October 2007

5th October 2007

31st March 2006

29th March 2006

20th January 2006

28th December 2005

20th December 2005

19th November 2005

23rd August 2005

21st August 2005

More Information:

My other photos around the High Level Bridge:

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: As always, another excellent set of pics!

Thanks

Angelus71; 4 June 2008 at 15:02
Newcastle Photos said...: Thanks. It's great to see the bridge in all of it's glory. I'm not sure how long it will last but it looks extremely clean and shiny! :); 5 June 2008 at 18:54