Detroit Bridge – Salford, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 28.370 W 002° 17.504
30U E 547011 N 5925104
This bridge in the redeveloped dock area of Salford was originally a swing railway bridge over the Manchester Ship canal. It is has been given a new lease of life as a fixed position pedestrian bridge in a new location.
Waymark Code: WMH0Z6
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/04/2013
Views: 2
The Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894 and connected Manchester to the coast at the Mersey estuary near Liverpool. This enabled Manchester to become Britain’s 3rd busiest port even though it is 64 km inland.
The canal can accommodate sea going vessels with a maximum length of 183 metres but by modern standards this limits the size of ship that can access the port. The main port at Salford Quays closed in 1982 for commercial handling and ships now dock on canal side wharves. However some boats do still use Salford Quays including pleasure cruises between Manchester and Liverpool, hence the need for any bridges on the canal itself to not restrict the ships passage.
After Salford Quays closed the area around about became derelict but has since become the largest urban regeneration project in the UK. The site has been developed with a mixture of housing, offices, theatres, museums and retail outlets.
This bridge was installed to give pedestrian access across Erie basin and provides a connection between the Metrloink light rail station and such buildings as the Lowry art gallery and theatre.
It was originally a swing rail bridge that connected the docks with the large industrial estate of Trafford Park. It became redundant in 1981 but when the redevelopment of the area started it was decided to make use of the bridge.
It was refurbished and then floated to its current position and installed as a fixed pedestrian and cycle bridge. Because it is in the Quays themselves rather than on the canal there is no need for the bridge to give access to large ships although small boats can still pass under it.
It is one of a number of bridges that give complete access to the site and enables it possible to make a circular tour of the area.
It weighs 300 tonnes and is 80m long, 9m wide and over 10m tall above deck level. It's in the form of a balanced cantilever modified Warren truss.
This bridge lover and designer’s
blog tells the full story of the bridge.