Transporter Bridge

The Transporter Bridge over the River Tees was built in 1911 by engineer G.C. Imbault from Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co. Ltd., and constructed by Sir William Arrol and Company Limited from Glasgow. It was opened by Prince Arthur of Connaught. The bridge features plated and riveted steel construction, with two pairs of tapering towers supported by steel and concrete caissons. These towers hold the main cantilevered trusses, with the lower chord carrying a trolley way. The catwalk along the trolley way is 49 meters above the water and 260 meters long, with a 174-meter span over the river. Clusters of woven steel wire tension ropes connect the outward tips of the trusses vertically down to concrete anchorage blocks set into the ground. The carriage is suspended on steel wire ropes and is hauled by two ropes connected to an electrically powered winch located in a housing on the south bank of the river. The carriage was damaged by enemy action in 1940.