Clifton Suspension Bridge, Suspension bridge in Clifton, England
Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge measuring 412 meters long across the Avon Gorge between Bristol and North Somerset in England. Two stone towers rising 72 meters support the iron chains that hold up the 9.45-meter wide roadway deck.
A bequest from 1753 triggered the competition won by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1831, though work stalled repeatedly. Barlow and Hawkshaw completed the project after Brunel's death, opening the crossing in 1864 as a memorial to the late engineer.
The structure carries the name of the young engineer carved into one of the piers, alongside dedications to other professionals who worked on the construction. Visitors today walk on the same iron deck that once carried horse-drawn carriages and early motorcars.
The crossing remains open around the clock, with vehicles paying a toll of one pound while pedestrians and cyclists pass free of charge. Visitors should consider weather conditions as winds over the gorge can make the walk more demanding.
The abutments contain interior chambers that were originally designed to anchor the chains. These hidden rooms can be visited on guided tours on certain days.
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