Albert Bridge, Belfast, Road bridge in central Belfast, Northern Ireland
Albert Bridge is a road crossing over the River Lagan in Belfast featuring three flat arches built from granite with decorative cast iron details. It carries four traffic lanes along the A20 route with walking paths on each side, linking East Bridge Street to Albertbridge Road.
The original bridge at this location failed catastrophically in 1886, prompting city surveyor J C Bretland to design a replacement. This new structure opened to the public in September 1890, replacing what had become an unsafe crossing.
The structure took its name from Prince Albert, and this choice reflects how 19th-century naming conventions honored royal connections. Walking across it today, visitors notice the decorative iron details that show the care invested in making this a landmark of civic pride.
The crossing is open around the clock for vehicles and people on foot, connecting two major parts of the city. Visitors should be aware that it carries regular traffic, so attention is needed when moving across it.
A different structure once stood at this spot called the Halfpenny Bridge, where users paid a small toll to cross. This fee was removed by Belfast Corporation in 1860, decades before the current bridge was built.
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