Union Bridge, Road bridge in Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Union Bridge spans the Denburn Valley with a single granite arch at its center, connecting Union Street to the central areas of Aberdeen. The structure has steel side spans that were added later to support wider pavements and improve pedestrian access.
Construction began in 1801 following Charles Abercrombie's design to create a new entrance to Aberdeen from the south and west. Steel side spans were added in 1908 to reinforce the bridge for growing traffic demands.
The bridge features decorative cast iron leopards along its balustrade, created by William Wilson and installed during the 1910 restoration work. These distinctive figures remain a notable detail that catches the eye of people crossing today.
The bridge is easy to cross on foot and provides good views of the Denburn Valley from above. Visitors should be cautious on the stone surface, especially when wet or icy.
The bridge represents a notable engineering achievement as one of the largest single-span granite arch structures ever built. This blend of pure stone form with later added steel components makes it an interesting example of early 19th century bridge technology.
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