Notes:

• Varying histories of this catwalk-style bridge exist. Some claim it was built 1704, a cable snapped in 1802 killing three people, and it was then rebuilt in 1830 (the present bridge). Others attribute the bridge to 1741 and have the 1802 incident killing "one or two people".
• Replaced by 1830 Wynch (Winch) - Middleton-in-Teesdale, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008266

Notes:

• Carried a water pipeline with eight iron chains.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20017520

Notes:

• In an email dated January 16, 2000, Don Sayenga provided information about the location of this bridge. Generally attributed to Uniontown (the seat of Fayette County, PA), Mr. Sayenga offers some clues about the bridge's true location. "[James Finley] stated that he built it near the home of his friend Meason which implies a connection for the iron as Meason was making iron. Meason's home has survived by the way, a beautiful place. Finley stated it was a combination contract with the cost split between two counties, and he stated it was built over Jacob's Creek which is the county boundary. He also makes it clear it was on the road to Greensburg. The only place the old road crossed Jacob's Creek is just south of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. On the geodetic survey maps this spot is marked "Iron Bridge" but there is no town there. The last time I was there I saw a sign that said 'Iron Bridge' on an automobile scrap yard. I found absolutely no trace of the bridge, but it was not very big, so there was no need for a huge abutment."
• First suspension bridge with a rigid level deck, often considered the world's first modern suspension bridge.
• Coordinates are for the likely location of the bridge, where present-day (2020) Pennsylvania route 3105 crosses Jacob's Creek.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000873

Notes:

• BCW gives completion date of 1810 and says bridge was destroyed by flood two years later.
• Coordinates given are for the current crossing (VA SR123, still known locally as "Chain Bridge Road") which is on (or very close) to the alignment of Chain Bridge. Chain Bridge was the third bridge at this site. The current structure is the eighth and was completed in 1940.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008052

Notes:

• Failed 1811, 1816. HBE notes the 1811 was due to weight of cattle. The 1816 failure was due to weight of ice and snow.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008053

Notes:

• John Templeman built several bridges (like this one) using James Finley's design.
• Repaired in 1827 after 5 of 10 chains snapped under weight of a team of oxen.
• The complete description from Thomas Pope's 1811 Treatise (POPE):

  "The chain Bridge lately thrown over the Merrimack, three miles above Newburyport, in the state of Massachusetts, is now in constant use. This Bridge consists of a single arc, two hundred and forty-four feet span. The abutments are of stone, forty-seven feet long, and thirty-seven high; the uprights, or framed work, which stand on the abutments, are thirty-five feet high, over which are suspended ten distinct chains, the ends of which on both sides of the river are buried deep in pits and secured by large stones: each chain is five hundred and sixteen feet long; and, where they pass over the uprights, they are treble, and made in short links, which is said to be more secure than saddles made of plates of iron. The four middle joists rest on the chains; all the rest are suspended to the main chains to equalize the floor. This Bridge has two passage-ways of fifteen feet in width each, and the floor is so solid as to admit of horses, carriages, etc. to travel at any speed, with very little perceptible motion of the floors. The railing is stout and strong, which adds much firmness to the floor. There are three chains in each range on each side, and four in the middle range: they are calculated to support nearly five hundred tons. From the surface of the water to the middle of the floor is forty feet; and from the top of the abutments to the top of the uprights is thirty-five feet high, making seventy-two feet. The magnitude and power of the abutments, the width and length of the floors, the elevation of the work, the evident powers of the chains, etc. all conspire to make it a wonderful work. Every expense attending it did not amount to twenty-five thousand dollars. The abutment being of stone, the uprights covered, and the chains painted to prevent rust, leaves nothing but the flooring to decay. This Bridge was constructed by John Templeman, Esq. of the district of Columbia, whose talents for the productions of such work, and the various improvements suggested and used by him, have been highly beneficial, and do him great credit."

• Gregory W. Buff sent a transcription of an article describing the 1827 failure. The article was in the Saturday, February 24, 1827 issue (Volume IV, Number 31) of the Canadian Spectator (Montreal, Quebec) newspaper:

  "Newburyport, Feb 9. Disastrious [sic] Accident. - On Tuesday morning last, the Essex Merrimack Bridge gave way in the centre, from the parting of the chains that support it. On the Bridge, at the moment, was a loaded team, drawn by six oxen and two horses, driven by two men, Messrs. Garlton [sic] and Jackman, all of whom were precipitated, forty feet, into the river beneath. The teamsters preserved themselves by means of swimming, and the support of fragments of the bridge; the team were all of them except one of the horses, swept beneath the ice a few rods below, and drowned. Five of the ten chains which supported the Bridge, were snapped in different places, and now remain upholding the broken and shattered timber altogether as sad a wreck as we ever witnessed. At the moment of the crash, the light evolved from the friction of the chains resembled the the vivid streaming of a meteor. Various excuses are assigned for the accident, and none, with more probability, than the united effect of the incumbent pressure of the immense body of snow lying upon the bridge, and the frost which had contracted the particles of iron. These produced a tenseness in the chains, which was incapable of resisting the additional pressure of the loaded team, and the whole gave way. The estimated expense of repairing the breach is about 4000 dollars; and the Directors, as we understand, plan to set about it immediately. It will be built up as before. To those who have been losers by this accident the corporation intend to make generous inumeration. The traveling will be uninterrupted, as the solidity of the ice above the bridge forms a safe passage way - and for the conveyance of carriages and heavy baggage the proprietors have promptly provided suitable boats. If any aversion to chain bridges has been produced by this accident, we should be sorry, for ourselves we feel yet unshaken faith in their superior security. The misfortune in this case was no doubt owing to the causes above stated, and not to any defect in the construction of the bridge. Probably hundreds of individuals, including each sex and all ages, have visited the ruins of the bridge. They present a sad and melancholy appearance - crushed and broken timbers suspended by the massy chains, which hang lazily from the pyramidical abutments, while the beholder instinctly shrinks back in terror at the reflection of the situation of the two human beings who were precipitated into the abyss beneath. The preservation of these two men is almost miraculous. Although hurled down 40 feet amid crashing and falling timber, entangled with their cattle, they fell without receiving the least injury, and attained the shore, after being for nearly half an hour, immerse in water chilled to the freezing point. Mr. Jackman is far advanced in years - and suffered somewhat from the exposure to the cold. Mr. Carlton [sic], escaped unhurt. The Chain Bridge has been built for about fifteen years, the span is 220 feet. We believe this was the second or third Chain Bridge built in the United States; and this is probably the first that has met with a similar accident. We understand the proprieters of the Rooks Bridge intend to rebuild theirs as a Chain Bridge."

• Replaced by 1909 Chain - Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA. The 1909 structure was almost entirely new (except for portions of the piers and abutments).

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001418

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008064

Notes:

• BSI: Originally erected in the form of a traditional suspension bridge, but soon reinforced with wire stays from much larger towers to reduce unwanted motion. Destroyed by flood, 1839.

Notes:

• Narrow footbridge. First wire bridge in North America. HBE notes "first wire suspension bridge in any country."
• Often described as having collapsed under the weight of ice and snow, Don Sayenga notes that no contemporary sources confirm this demise. Since the nearby chain bridge did fail under weight of ice and snow, he believes this fate has been misattributed to the White and Hazard footbridge. Don believes the bridge was just dismantled at some point after June, 1816.
• Al Zagofsky also wrote to explain there was no evidence of this bridge collapsing under weight of ice and snow. Al writes: "According to an original source Captain Joshua Rowley Watson, who inspected the bridge on June 15, 1816: '...There was a bridge, but which by the weight of ice and snow, has been carried away.' This refers to the previous bridge that the cable bridge was temporarily replacing. I did not see any cause for failure of the wire rope bridge. My guess is that it was removed when the regular bridge was repaired. The same article shows a sketch that he made, showing the main span to be 407 feet. I am looking at the Canal History and Technology Proceedings Vol 5, March 22, 1986."

Notes:

• 2007, March: Closed after a hanger snapped in high winds. Repaired and reopened August, 2007.
• 2020, October: Closed for major renovation and conservation project.
• 2023, April: The bridge is reopened.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1826 Menai Strait - Menai Bridge and Bangor vicinity, Wales, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Conservation - Union Chain Bridge - unionchainbridge.org. Site devoted to the 2020-2023 renovation project. This page lists the highlights of the project.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000162

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000895

Notes:

• Often claimed to be the oldest surviving suspension bridge in continental Europe.
• 1909: Wooden towers are damaged by flood and eventually replaced with steel towers.
• 1930: Bridge deck is stiffened and several intermediate piers are added to support the bridge.
• 2010: Bridge is reconstructed retaining some original components and eliminating the need for the intermediate piers. The bridge is again functioning as a suspension bridge.

External Links:

• Chain Bridge (Nuremberg) - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000255

Notes:

• Remains of this very early suspension bridge are supposedly kept on the grounds of Chateau Strážnice

External Links:

• About a suspended roof built in 1826 - Pavel Ferjencik (1975)
• Kettenbrücke | Ponton's Brücken

Notes:

• The earliest of several chain suspension bridges built in Vienna in the 1820s and 1830s.

External Links:

• Rotundenbrücke – Wien Geschichte Wiki
• Rotundenbrücke – Wikipedia
• Sophienbrücke Vídeň

Notes:

• Often credited as being the first large wire suspension bridge in France (and elsewhere). Rebuilt 1847 as a footbridge. Removed 1965.
• Near 1849 Marc Seguin - Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche and Tain-L'Hermitage, Drôme, France.
• Near 1958 Gustave Toursier - Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche and Tain-L'Hermitage, Drôme, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000156

Notes:

• 1904: Major reinforcement and strengthening project.
• 2008, February: Major refurbishment project completed.
• Next to 1904 (footbridge) - Conwy, Wales, United Kingdom.

Annotated Citations:

• "Conway Suspension Bridge." The Engineer, 20 May 1904.
  

  Details regarding the 1904 reinforcement project: "...It was therefore decided to renew all the suspension rods, and pins, and to fix steel cables above the suspension links, to supplement them so that the maximum stress in the links due to any possible travelling load should not exceed 5 tons per square inch. It was also decided to build a stiffening girder coupled to the suspension rod on each side of the bridge, and at the same time to widen the bridge by building a footway 6ft. wide outside the suspenders on the north side of the bridge."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000447

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20005717

Notes:

• Failed when almost complete in 1826. MOS: "On the 6th of September, a water-pipe, which was laid in the ground on the side of the Champs Elysées, and came near the abutments on that side of the river, burst, and, softening the ground about the abutment, it gave way under the strain produced by the weight of the bridge."
• Replaced by 1829 Invalides (l'Allee-d'Antin) - Paris, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000226

Notes:

• 1839 (or 1840): Restored. Deck strengthened.
• 1893: Original wood deck replaced with a steel deck.
• 1938-1940: Original wrought-iron chains replaced with steel eyebars, deck strengthened.
• 1999: Deck resurfaced and other improvements to strengthen bridge.
• 2020: Major maintenance project planned to start January, 2021.
• 2022, October: Closed due to serious structural concerns. Expected to reopen January 2023 with a weight restriction.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1820 Union - Horncliffe, Berwick-upon-Tweed vicinity, England and Fishwick, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000091

Notes:

• Multi-span structure distinct from Templeman's 1810 Chain Bridge. Sometimes misidentified as an 1827 replacement to the 1810 Templeman Chain Bridge because of the significant damage to the Templeman bridge in 1827.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008067

Notes:

• Replaced by 1887 Hammersmith - London, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008011

Notes:

• Originally built with iron chains. Later replaced with iron wire.
• Near 1831 Masaryk (Masarik, Mazarik, de la Gare) - Lyon vicinity, Métropole de Lyon, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008335

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000214

External Links:

• Karlskettensteg – Wien Geschichte Wiki
• Structurae - Structure ID 20019496

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20012176

Notes:

• 1887: Flooring failed.
• 1944: Bombed by Allied Forces, August 6.

External Links:

• Musée de la résistance en ligne
• Structurae - Structure ID 20012664

Notes:

• Replaced 1826 Invalides - Paris, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000897

Notes:

• SBR: March 19, 1830, with a "crowd of people, estimated at 700, ... watching a boat race," a chain broke "plunging most of the people into the river." Repaired.
• 1838: Wrecked by storm. Repaired.

Notes:

• Was located at the northern end of the current-day Kettenbrückegasse, named for the former Rudolf bridge. The Vienna River has since been covered over at this location.

External Links:

• Rudolfsbrücke – Wien Geschichte Wiki

Notes:

• Was located near the modern day intersection of Getreidemarkt and Friedrichstraße. The Vienna River here has since been covered over at this location.

External Links:

• Schikanedersteg – Wien Geschichte Wiki

Notes:

• Two side spans meeting at a single midstream tower.
• Later at same location 1949 (footbridge) - Valence, Drôme and Guilherand-Granges, Ardèche, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20009700

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20044896

Notes:

• Badly damaged by fire 1848. Replaced 1860 (or soon after).
• Next to 1842 Cité (City, Île de la Cité) - Île de la Cité and Île St-Louis, Paris, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000203

Notes:

• Now supported by wire cable.
• In the early 2010s, the bridge was closed and the deck was removed (see accompanying 2013 photo set). By 2019 it had been further dismantled awaiting rehabilitation.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20020906

Notes:

• Collapsed under weight of maching troops, April 16, 1850, killing more than 200 soldiers. Collapse precipitated French virtual moratorium on suspension bridge building bringing to a close the prolific era of French wire cable suspension bridges.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004743

External Links:

• Charles Albert Bridge - HighestBridges.com
• Structurae - Structure ID 20002116

Notes:

• Replaced in the 1890s by a (likely) cantilever bridge having the general shape of a suspension bridge.
• AAJ writes: "the first use of triangular bracing between double chain cables" and mentions that it was dismantled and moved to Hessisch Oldendorf 1880-1890 or 1899. Most accounts suggest the bridge was reassembled in the 1898-1899 time frame.
• Moved to 1899 Weserbrücke - Hessisch Oldendorf and Fuhlen, Germany.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20051983

Notes:

• Wrecked by wind 1852, rebuilt, damaged 1866, 1869, 1870, and 1871. After the 1871 repairs, it was restricted to foot traffic. It was replaced in 1911 by an arch. Approaches extant (next to the later suspension bridge), 2004.
• Next to 1960 Roche-Bernard - La Roche-Bernard, Morbihan, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004742

Notes:

• This is perhaps one of the most fanciful large suspension bridges ever built.
• Destroyed in a storm, 1869. Its replacement (a truss bridge) was completed in 1883. The approaches and the bottom halves of the suspension bridge towers were strengthened and used for the replacement.
• AAJ citing Engineering News-Record: "Vergès used inclined tie cables running from the top of the tower at one end of a span to a roadway-level connection on the opposite tower."

External Links:

• Structurae - Cubzac Bridge. Photos of the replacement truss structure.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000898

Notes:

• 1919, May 9: An overloaded truck carrying logs causes the failure of several suspenders and collapse of a large section of the deck.
• Near 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006448

Notes:

• 1925: Replaced by a Gisclard suspension bridge reusing the approach spans and piers of the 1840 suspension bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000883

Notes:

• This location is now crossed by the Legion Bridge (Legii Most).

Notes:

• See 1931 Verdun-sur-Garonne - Verdun-sur-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, France. The relationship between the older and current bridges is unclear.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20086318

Notes:

• Next to 1834 Louis-Philippe (de la Reforme) - Île St-Louis, Paris, France.

Notes:

• BBR and BOB say 1841.

Notes:

• Deck failed, August 21, 1883, during a load test. Replacement built on the original piers.
• Replaced by 1884 Tonnay-Charente - Tonnay-Charente, Charente-Maritime, France.

External Links:

• Wikipedia - Pont suspendu de Tonnay-Charente
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000899

Notes:

• Submerged during a September 1890 flood. Dismantled soon after and replaced with a truss bridge.

External Links:

• payne.cz - Most ve Strakonicích
• Wikipedia - Řetězový most ve Strakonicích

External Links:

• Le Pont Suspendu de Seraing. Main page: Les ponts metalliques historiques belges.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004409

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008871

Notes:

• BEM mentions three different years of completion: 1826, 1862, and 1843, all of which are likely incorrect. The bridge was out of service by 1864 as the chain cables were reused for the Clifton Bridge at Bristol, England.
• See 1864 Clifton - Bristol, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20002315

Notes:

• Replaced by 1891 Friedrichsbrücke - Mannheim, Germany.

External Links:

• Wikipedia - Kurpfalzbrücke. A history of several bridges at this location.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20010180

Notes:

• In use until 1860.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006118

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007338

Notes:

• Replaced by 1855 Niagara Suspension - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Notes:

• Replaced by an arch bridge in the early 20th century. Built as part of the same project as the Kitchener-Marchand bridge; they were on the same alignment, with one crossing the Saône and the other the Rhône. Both were originally known as the Napoleon bridges.
• Companion to 1849 Kitchener-Marchand (Napoleon, Kitchener, Midi) - Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, France.

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.
• 1854: Rebuilt after it was wrecked by a windstorm. Contrary to popular myth, the rebuilding was undertaken by Ellet and his assistant William K. McComas, not by John A. Roebling.
• 1860: Overhauled. Popular myth often attributes this work to the Roeblings. WHSB attributes this work to William K. McComas. After this overhaul, the bridge still does not have the distinctive diagonal cable stays that give it the appearance of a Roebling bridge.
• 1872: Overhauled according to a design by Washington Roebling. John A. Roebling had died in 1869 and was not involved with this work. WHSB notes, "The design essentially Roeblingized the bridge with the diagonal cable stays that are such a prominent feature of the bridge."
• 2019, September: Closed to vehicular traffic indefinitely due to safety concerns after repeated overweight vehicle violations.
• 2020, November: Bids being evaluated for renovation project. Bridge remains closed to vehicular traffic.
• 2021, April: Single bid received was rejected. Bids expected to be resolicited in June. The bridge remains closed to all vehicular traffic.
• 2022, February: $17.9 million renovation project expected to start soon.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1867 John A. Roebling (Cincinnati, Cincinnati and Covington) - Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000478

External Links:

• Kettenbrücke (Aarau) - Wikipedia. Notes bridge was opened for traffic December 28, 1850 and officially inaugurated January 6, 1851.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20043577

Notes:

• Wrecked by wind February 1, 1864. Stay cables beneath the bridge had been disconnected to avoid damage from rising ice. Portions of the cables and deck remained, in a derelict state, as late as 1895. Replacement was not started until the late 1890's.
• The February 3, 1864 edition of Niagara Falls Gazette describes the wind event: "Partial Destruction Of The Lewiston Suspension Bridge -- A portion of the flooring and other wood-work of the Lewiston Suspension Bridge was blown down during the gale Monday forenoon. It seems that the long guys had been cut during the late ice jam to prevent injury to the structure and thus its strength to withstand a gale was much weakened. The wind swept through the gorge on Monday with terrific force and swayed the bridge so that some of the cross timbers, near the centre were loosened from their fastenings, and fell, of course carrying the floor with them. A large portion at each end, remains without material injury. The extent of the damage -- financially -- we have not yet learned, but we judge from what we hear that it may be about $10,000. The bridge was built in 1852 and cost not far from $40,000. It will doubtless soon be repaired and in use."
• Later at same location 1899 Lewiston-Queenston - Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada.
• See 1849 Wheeling (Wheeling and Belmont) - Wheeling, West Virginia, USA. The 1851 Lewiston-Queenston bridge is sometimes claimed to have become the longest in the world with a main span surpassing the length of the Wheeling suspension bridge. However, Don Sayenga notes the length of the suspended span of the Lewiston-Queenston bridge was only 849 feet, not the 1,043 feet sometimes cited. Don writes: "[1,043 feet] was the distance between the towers built high up on the cliffs above the crossing - because there was no space for them below. The roadway suspended from the towers was only 849 feet span over the water from abutment to abutment." Thus, Roebling's Cincinnati bridge should be considered the first to eclipse Wheeling's record main span.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007333

External Links:

• Encyklopedie.Ostrava.cz - Zřícení řetězového mostu přes Ostravici v roce 1886. Article about the collapse of the bridge.
• HistorickaOstrava.cz - Kettenbrücke – Řetězový most (1851-1886). History and images of the bridge, including the 1886 collapse.

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.
• Damaged during Civil War. An article in the August 2, 1861 issue of the New York Times mentions: "A junction of our forces having now been effected, the army at once moved on to Elk River, which debouches into the Kanawha at Charleston, where the army encamped for the night. We would have crossed the stream at once, and marched through the town the same evening, but for the fact that the rebels had partially destroyed the beautiful suspension bridge which spans Elk River at this spot, rendering it unsafe for passage. Not content with burning a portion of the flooring, they nearly severed the strands which support the structure, and aid their work, too, in the most bungling manner. A more shameless piece of vandalism I never witnessed. While the army slept, a company of sappers and miners repaired the damage, and yesterday the army, nearly five thousand strong, marched through the streets of Charleston."
• Near 1884 (suspension bridge) - Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.

Notes:

• Heavily damaged by flood, 1875. A metal arch bridge, completed 1987, is at this location now.
• Replaced by 1931 Saint-Pierre - Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20016121

Notes:

• Rebuilt 1857.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20009683

Notes:

• Connects to 1853 Chain (Tsepnyye, Цепные) - Ostrov, Pskov Oblast, Russia.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20048552

Notes:

• Connects to 1853 Chain (Tsepnyye, Цепные) - Ostrov, Pskov Oblast, Russia.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20048552

Notes:

• According to ONC: Designed by John W. Murphy (who designed several suspension bridges in the 1850s and 1860s in New York and Pennsylvania). Fort Hunter Suspension Bridge Company incorporated in 1852, but cables were not installed until 1853.
• 1935: Bridge is dismantled (ONC).

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20005655

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.

Notes:

• Replaced by 1877 Minneapolis - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
• Later at same location 1990 Hennepin Avenue (Father Louis Hennepin) - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20052001

Notes:

• Cables renovated, 1877. Wooden stiffening trusses replaced, 1880. Towers replaced, c. 1886. Bridge replaced with steel arch, 1897.
• AAJ notes the roadway deck opened in 1854, but the railway deck did not open until 1855.
• Replaced 1848 Niagara Suspension - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000047

Notes:

• EOV cites a source claiming the bridge was begun in 1853, but not completed until 1858. AAJ says completed in 1848. Other sources claim it was completed in 1852 and 1856.
• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.

External Links:

• Altenbergsteg - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20033261

Notes:

• Replaced by 1937 Chelsea - London, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20002316

Notes:

• BPL cites this bridge as the first suspension bridge with metal towers. However, at least two earlier suspension bridges (1857 Watertown, New York and 1856 Bidwell Bar, California) are known to have metal towers and even Roebling's 1846 Smithfield Street Bridge in Pittsburgh had cast iron towers.
• Next to 1884 North Side (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007343

Notes:

• 1865 and 1866 are sometimes cited as the year of completion for this bridge.
• Replaced by 1929 Auburn-Coloma - Auburn and Coloma, California, USA.

Notes:

• Partially burned by retreating Confederate troops May 2nd, 1863 during the Vicksburg Campaign of the Civil War. Union troops extinquished the fire and quickly repaired the bridge.
• Demolished, circa 1920's. Descriptions for the Vicksburg Campaign imply there may have been another suspension bridge in the Port Gibson area.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20003156

Notes:

• At the time of completion, the bridge connected the villages of Barkhausen and Hausberge, later merged into Porta Westfalica.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20055112

Notes:

• Built with chain cables reused from the Hungerford bridge.
• See 1845 Hungerford - London, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000018

Notes:

• 1892: Cable ends restored.
• 1899: Steel cables added to assist original cables.
• 2021, February: Closed to all vehicular traffic for a nine-month restoration project.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1849 Wheeling (Wheeling and Belmont) - Wheeling, West Virginia, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1869 Clifton (Niagara-Clifton, Falls View, First Falls View) - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000513

Notes:

• A "stiffened" braced chain suspension bridge. Like several other similar eastern European bridges constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s it is somewhat questionable whether this bridge should be included in a list of suspension bridges. It was replaced in 1912 by a cantilever bridge that resembles the shape and lines of the former suspension bridge.

External Links:

• Eiserner Steg (Frankfurt am Main) - Wikipedia

Notes:

• Opened January 2nd, 1869. Wooden towers replaced with steel towers, 1884. Widened to 17 feet, 1888. Wrecked by wind, January, 1889. Some of the images here may show the replacement bridge.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1867 John A. Roebling (Cincinnati, Cincinnati and Covington) - Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1883 Brooklyn (Great East River) - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Replaced by 1889 Second Falls View - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000528

Notes:

• Near future location of 1948 Luitpoldbrücke - Passau, Bavaria, Germany.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20029224

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood 1903.
• Replaced by 1904 Lordville-Equinunk - Lordville, New York and Equinunk, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Removed at some point after the adjacent Mánes bridge was opened in 1914.

External Links:

• Rudolfova lávka – Wikipedia

Notes:

• 1915: Rebuilt.
• 2020, October: Closed for restoration project expecting to last 18-24 months.
• 2021, March: Major restoration project underway, led by Sparks Engineering, Inc.
• 2023, April: The restored bridge is rededicated on April 22. Patrick Sparks of Sparks Engineering reports: . The rededication was held April 22, 2023. "The project involved full rehabilitation including: replacement of the suspension system and anchor rods, strengthening of the anchorages, replacement of the saddle bearings, retrofit strengthening of the east tower, and deck replacement (concrete on the main deck, tropical hardwood on the side walks)."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001398

Notes:

• Damaged by flood, 1936 and removed soon after.
• Near 1878 Upper (Red) - Turners Falls, Montague, Massachusetts, USA.

Notes:

• AAJ: Rebuilt, 1884, 1905.

Notes:

• Partial floor collapse requiring extensive repairs, December 24, 1903. Repaired, 1904. Demolished 1927.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006126

Notes:

• Replaced 1855 Minneapolis (St. Anthony's Falls) - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
• Later at same location 1990 Hennepin Avenue (Father Louis Hennepin) - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Notes:

• The side spans are supported solely by inclined stays, not suspenders from the main cables.
• Closed to all traffic on July 15, 2004 due to damage to the deck, possibly caused by an overloaded truck. Repaired and reopened.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20003008

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1869 Clifton (Niagara-Clifton, Falls View, First Falls View) - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1903 Williamsburg - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Next to 1909 Manhattan - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Near 1903 Williamsburg - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000011

Notes:

• AAJ: Repaired by William Hildenbrand a few years after completion.
• Near 1852 Charleston (Lovell Street) - Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

Notes:

• Next to 1834 Lamothe - Lamothe and Brioude, Haute-Loire, France. In 1866, a flood caused a major change in the course of the Allier River such that the main channel no longer flowed under the older bridge. The newer bridge crossed the main channel of the Allier just slightly east of the older bridge.

External Links:

• Art-et-Histoire - Pont de Lamothe - 1884
• Structurae - Structure ID 20022428

Notes:

• Next to 1860 Allegheny River (Sixth Street, St. Clair) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Replaced by 1926 Andy Warhol (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Bridgehunter.com | 7th Street Bridge

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20052005

Notes:

• 2019, April: Closed to vehicular traffic due to safety concerns after an inspection found fractures in the cast iron casings around the bridge pedestals. Some repair work followed, but was not fully funded or finished (as of mid-2020)
• 2020, August: Fractures found to have worsened during recent heatwave. Bridge is completely closed to all pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Pedestrian walkways under the bridge and all river traffic under the bridge are also prohibited (implying risk of collapse).
• 2020, December: Bridge may reopen to pedestrians and cyclists if deemed safe by maintenance contractor, Mott MacDonald.
• 2021, January: Plan discussed to "thread" a temporary truss along the length of the deck to permit traffic while the suspension bridge undergoes repairs.
• 2021, March: Feasibility study on "double-decker" temporary truss plan determines it is feasible, possibly opening to pedestrian and vehicular traffic by mid-2022.
• 2021, July: Reopened for pedestrian and bicycle use.
• Replaced 1827 Hammersmith - London, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• ENR - Engineers Ponder Solutions for Damaged London Bridge. February 22, 2021 Engineering News-Record article discusses proposal to thread a temporary truss between the towers to allow traffic while the larger suspension bridge repairs are completed. Recaps the issue: "Cracks have been found in the cast-iron pedestals that support suspension cable saddles at the abutments. Engineers suspect that roller bearings between the saddles and pedestals seized up at least 30 years ago…"
• Hammersmith Bridge | Temporary ‘double-decker’ proposal deemed technically feasible - New Civil Engineer. March 22, 2021
• The Happy Pontist: London Bridges: 33. Hammersmith Bridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20008013

Notes:

• Jakkula (AAJ) lists this bridge as completed in 1889 based on articles from 1899-1900 discussing braced chain suspension bridges. Various internet sources consistently cite 1863 as the year of completion. The 1889 date is more consistent with several similar braced-chain suspension bridges built in the 1890, but it is unclear which sources are accurate.
• "Braced chain" main cables.
• Similar to 1936 Kindee - Kindee, Ellenborough vicinity, New South Wales, Australia.
• Similar to 1951 Marias River (Pugsley) - Chester vicinity, Montana, USA.
• Similar to (footbridge) - Sarov (Саров), Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia.
• Similar to Allan - Segenhoe, Scone vicinity, New South Wales, Australia.
• Similar to Ininskiy (Ининский) - Inya (Иня), Altai Republic, Russia.
• Similar to Reku Vel' - Solginskiy (Солгинский), Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia.

External Links:

• Il ponte dei Fiorentini…
• Ponte dei Fiorentini - Wikipedia

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007025

Notes:

• Braced chain (stiffened-eyebar) design often espoused by Gustav Lindenthal. ONF (an article by Lindenthal) refers to this as the Jefferson Ave. bridge while Fowler's book (IEA) calls it "Grand Avenue". AAJ describes it as "a three-hinged inverted arch with two stiffened chains, one on each side."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20056221

Notes:

• Replaced with arch in 1939, but original towers retained. STC says replaced 1937.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006323

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008135

Notes:

• Short stiffened eyebar ("braced chain") of the style that Lindenthal often proposed. A mid-span support was added many years ago.
• Major rehabilitation started, June 2007. Reopened November, 2007.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20011103