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Connel Bridge
The Connel Bridge, or Connel Ferry Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. It was completed in 1903 for the Caledonian Railway, and lies about 6 miles north east of Oban on the A828, north of the A85.
Although it was originally built as a single track railway bridge, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line, in 1914. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. A toll was payable by road users.
This mode of operation continued until 1966, when the railway line was closed. With the rail service removed, the single track road was widened for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other and the bridge still operates as a one-way service controlled by traffic lights, with the remaining space devoted to pedestrians and cyclists.
At the time of its completion in 1903, the single-span structure was the second largest clear span in Europe, creating a steel cantilever bridge with a main span of some 500 feet, passing some 50 feet above the water. While the design pre-dates 1900, the appearance of the bridge is that of a much later item. The steel arches at each end of the bridge have been raised after being struck by overheight vehicles. The current height limit for vehicles using the bridge is 4.2 metres.
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Although it was originally built as a single track railway bridge, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line, in 1914. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. A toll was payable by road users.
This mode of operation continued until 1966, when the railway line was closed. With the rail service removed, the single track road was widened for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other and the bridge still operates as a one-way service controlled by traffic lights, with the remaining space devoted to pedestrians and cyclists.
At the time of its completion in 1903, the single-span structure was the second largest clear span in Europe, creating a steel cantilever bridge with a main span of some 500 feet, passing some 50 feet above the water. While the design pre-dates 1900, the appearance of the bridge is that of a much later item. The steel arches at each end of the bridge have been raised after being struck by overheight vehicles. The current height limit for vehicles using the bridge is 4.2 metres.
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Wikipediaby David Dixon
Created: Wed, 7 May 2014, Updated: Wed, 7 May 2014
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