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Tees Transporter Bridge

Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge

Tees Transporter Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: May 13, 2018

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
A178 Over River Tees
Location
Middlesbrough and Port Clarence: North East, England: United Kingdom
Structure Type
Metal 32 Panel Rivet-Connected Modified Warren (Subdivided) Through Truss, Movable: Transporter and Approach Spans: Metal 10 Panel Rivet-Connected Pratt Full-Slope Pony Truss, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1911 By Builder/Contractor: Sir William Arrol and Company of Glasgow, Scotland
Rehabilitation Date
2015
Main Span Length
570.0 Feet (173.7 Meters)
Structure Length
850.0 Feet (259.1 Meters)
Roadway Width
Not Available
Spans
3 Main Span(s) and 1 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
Not Applicable

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

View Historical Article About This Bridge

View Official Visitor Brochure About This Bridge

This bridge is one of three surviving transporter bridges in the United Kingdom, and one of only two that operate today. It is one of only an estimated twelve surviving transporter bridges in the world. An iconic landmark of Middlesbrough, this beautifully maintained bridge features a visitor center and a main truss span walkway that is opened for tours. The truss span sits 160 feet (49 meters) above River Tees. The truss span is a cantilever truss span consisting of two cantilever arms extending over the River Tees. Unlike some cantilever bridges like the Forth Rail Bridge, there is no suspended span between the cantilever arms. Extending back from the main span over the river are the anchor arms of the trusses. The ends anchor arms (the far ends of the overall bridge) are held in place by cables which extend directly down into an underground anchorage. The gondola of this transporter bridge is suspended from the bridge by a system of cables, which attach to the truss span by way of rollers, which move along the bottom chord of the truss as the gondola moves over the river. A machine house south of the bridge houses motors and electrical equipment. Two operating cables extend out from the machine house up to the truss span to move the gondola. These cables were originally powered by two 60 horsepower Westinghouse electric motors, although in normal operation only one of these motors was required.

There is a single pony truss approach span at the north end of the bridge.

Above: Historical photo from Popular Mechanics showing the opening of the bridge.

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Tees Transporter Bridge

 

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Structure Overview

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Structure Details

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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Structure Overview

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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View Photo Gallery

Structure Details

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

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View Video

Northbound Crossing

Full Motion Video
Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

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Maps and Links: Tees Transporter Bridge

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