Perth Bridge

Perth Bridge (also known as Smeaton's Bridge, locally, the Old Bridge, and in the local dialect of Scots, "the Auld Brig") is a toll-free bridge in the city of Perth, Scotland. It spans the River Tay, connecting Perth, on the western side of the river, to Bridgend, on its eastern side, carrying both automotive and pedestrian traffic of West Bridge Street (the A85). It is a Category A listed structure.[1]

Perth Bridge
looking across to Perth Bridge
Coordinates56.3990°N 3.4252°W / 56.3990; -3.4252
CarriesTwo lanes of the A85
CrossesRiver Tay
LocalePerth, Scotland
Maintained byPerth and Kinross Council
Heritage statusCategory A listed
Characteristics
DesignArch
History
Opened1771
Location

The bridge was completed in October 1771,[2][3] which places it in the Georgian era; however, its plaque states the year in which construction began, 1766, as its "built" date. The engineer of its construction was John Smeaton, after whom the bridge is named.

Funded by Thomas Hay, 9th Earl of Kinnoull, the government, and public subscription, the bridge was put to the test three years after its completion. In February 1774, during a quick thaw, broken ice became wedged under the arches and created a natural dam. Large sections of Perth, including both of its Inches, were flooded. The bridge, however, stood firm.[4] It has survived many subsequent floods, and marks documenting these levels are visible on one of its piers.[5]

An increase in traffic resulted in the bridge being widened in 1869 by A.D. Stewart. Its stone parapets were removed, and footpaths projected over iron brackets.[4]

  • The bridge as it was before being widened in 1869
  • Smeaton's Bridge, with St. Matthew's Church, on Tay Street, on the left, looking north from Queen's Bridge
  • A plaque on the bridge stating its year of completion is incorrect: the bridge's construction was actually begun in 1766 but completed in 1771. Also mentioned is the year the bridge was widened: 1869
  • A view from Bridgend's East Bridge Street to West Bridge Street, which traverses the bridge. Gowrie Street is to the left; Main Street to the right. Perth Museum and Art Gallery is in view at the far end of the bridge
  • Flats and maisonettes on Commercial Street in Bridgend, viewed from the bridge

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Perth Bridge Over River Tay  (Category A Listed Building) (LB39339)". Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  2. Perth and Kinross Council website - Lottery Levity 2
  3. EngineeringTimelines.com
  4. "Bridges of Perth" at PerthCity.co.uk Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  5. HistoryCooperative.org - Neil MacDonald Archived 21 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
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