Victoria Viaduct, Railway bridge in Wearside, England
Victoria Viaduct is a railway bridge spanning the River Wear in Sunderland with four large stone arches built from local sandstone and Aberdeen granite. The 247-meter-long structure connects both banks with massive arches constructed in contrasting red and gray stone.
Construction of the bridge began in 1836 and was completed in 1838, with its opening coinciding with Queen Victoria's coronation. Passenger services ended in 1964 and freight operations ceased in 1991, leading to its designation as a Grade II listed structure.
The engineering design by James Walker drew inspiration from the ancient Roman bridge at Alcántara in Spain, incorporating similar architectural elements.
The structure is accessible to the public today and can be viewed from footpaths and cycling routes alongside it. The best time to visit is during daylight when you can clearly see the stonework and the river landscape below.
The central arch spans 49 meters and rises 37 meters above the water, making it a remarkable feat of engineering for its time. Engineer James Walker drew inspiration from the ancient Roman bridge at Alcántara in Spain, adapting its foundational design principles.
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