Skerton Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Lancaster, England
Skerton Bridge is a stone arch bridge spanning the River Lune with five arches built from sandstone that carry a wide, flat roadway across. The structure connects the areas on either side of the river and forms a distinctive part of the local landscape.
The bridge was completed in 1787 and followed an architectural competition won by Thomas Harrison's design. Construction began in 1783 and demonstrated innovative methods for large bridge projects of that era.
The bridge represents Georgian engineering achievement and shows how advanced building techniques of the 1700s transformed local infrastructure. It remains central to Lancaster's character today as a symbol of the town's industrial past.
The bridge carries the southbound A6 road today and is designed for through traffic. Visitors can walk across on foot and have good views of the river and surrounding area from the structure.
The bridge pioneered the use of a flat roadway on a large public structure instead of the curved surfaces typical of that time. This design was unusual for its age and showed Thomas Harrison's modern approach to engineering.
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