Walton New Bridge Over Bridgewater Canal, Higher Walton, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 53° 21.525 W 002° 36.650
30U E 525899 N 5912249
This concrete solid ribbed arch road bridge was constructed in the 1930s to replace a much narrower aqueduct that was built in 1770 over the old line of the road.
Waymark Code: WMQBZM
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/01/2016
Views: 1
The Bridgewater Canal
"The Bridgewater Canal connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh, in North West England. It was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester. It was opened in 1761 from Worsley to Manchester, and later extended from Manchester to Runcorn, and then from Worsley to Leigh.
Often considered to be the first "true" canal in England, as it relied upon existing watercourses as sources of water rather than as navigable routes. Navigable throughout its history, it is one of the few canals in Britain not to have been nationalised, and remains privately owned. Pleasure craft now use the canal which forms part of the Cheshire Ring network of canals."
link
The Bridge
Originally a nearby aqueduct carried the canal over the old rout of the A56. However increased road usage could no longer cope with such a narrow road so this modern concrete bridge was replaced and the line of the road diverted.
The bridge also known has the toast rack is supported by two outer bowstring arches and a central one that divides the road carriageways.
It crosses the canal at a skew of 45%.
This
engineering website gives details of repairs to the bridge carried out at a cost of £500,000.