Itchen Bridge

The Itchen Bridge is a steel structure that carries traffic across the River Itchen, connecting Southampton with southern neighborhoods. The bridge features two main carriageways and sits prominently above the waterway, serving as a key transport link through the city.

Construction began in the 1970s to replace a ferryboat service that had operated for decades across this crossing. The completion marked a major step in modernizing Southampton's transport connections.

The bridge opening ceremony on June 1, 1977 featured Edith Parks as the first public person to cross, followed by the mayoral car leading traffic.

The bridge is toll-based, with automatic charge collection when vehicles pass through. Night lighting helps drivers navigate and visitors get oriented when crossing.

On clear nights, visitors watching from the water or southern shores can see the white and blue LED lighting that spreads across a large distance. This illumination makes the bridge visible from far away and adds to Southampton's nighttime appearance.