The New Tyne Bridge.

Progress, Volume II, Issue I, 1 November 1906, Page 28

The New Tyne Bridge.

The magnificent new bridge across the lyne between Gateshead and Newcastle, which was lately opened by the King is looked upon as one of the greatest engineering triumphs of the day and as the finest specimen of bridge building in North Britain since the Forth bridge was constructed some fifteen years ago It takes the place of a bridge erected some fifty years ago by Robert Stephenson. There is a wide difference m the methods under which the two bridges have been constructed. Especially is this true of the foundations. The old bridge was built on simply piled foundations, for in Stephenson's time the lyne was comparatively shallow, but the new structure has had to be erected in deep water, and the modern caisson system has been employed, the concrete filled supports being firmly fixed in the river bed. Three piers have been erected in this way, and with the approach from each bank there are thus four spans composed of steel girders The total length of these girders is over 300 yards, while the height of the underside of the centre of the bridge above high-water mark is 87ft sufficient to allow the passage of the largest steameis sailing on the Tyne.