Perth Bridge

Perth Bridge
Perthshire
looking across to Perth Bridge
Location
Carrying:	A85 road
Crossing:	River Tay
Location
Grid reference:	NO12132388
Location:	56°23’56"N, 3°25’31"W
Structure
Main span:	714 feet
Design:	Arch
History
	Built 1771
Information

Perth Bridge (also known as Smeaton's Bridge, locally, the Old Bridge, is a Georgian road bridge in the City of Perth crossing the River Tay, in the heart of Perthshire. The bridge connects Perth, on the western side of the river, with Bridgend, on its eastern side, carrying both automotive and pedestrian traffic of West Bridge Street (the A85).

In its day, the Old Bridge, though far inland, was the lowest bridge of the river and so a vital point for transport, which was the reason for Perth's prosperity until the Victorian Age threw a railway bridge across the Firth of Tay.

The bridge is a Category A listed structure.

Perth Bridge was completed in October 1771, though its plaque states the year in which construction began, 1766, as its "built" date. The engineer of its construction was John Smeaton, after whom the bridge is named.

Funded by Thomas Hay, 9th Earl of Kinnoull, the government, and public subscription, the bridge was put to the test three years after its completion. In February 1774, during a quick thaw, broken ice became wedged under the arches and created a natural dam. Large sections of Perth, including both of its 'Inches', were flooded. The bridge, however, stood firm. It has survived many subsequent floods, and marks documenting these levels are visible on one of its piers.

An increase in traffic resulted in the bridge being widened in 1869 by A.D. Stewart. Its stone parapets were removed, and footpaths projected over iron brackets.

Gallery

• 
  The bridge as it was before being widened in 1869
• 
  Smeaton's Bridge, with St. Matthew's Church, on Tay Street, on the left, looking north from Queen's Bridge
• 
  A plaque on the bridge stating its year of completion is incorrect: the bridge's construction was actually begun in 1766 but completed in 1771. Also mentioned is the year the bridge was widened: 1869
• 
  A view from Bridgend's East Bridge Street to West Bridge Street, which traverses the bridge. Gowrie Street is to the left; Main Street to the right. Perth Museum and Art Gallery is in view at the far end of the bridge
• 
  Flats and maisonettes on Commercial Street in Bridgend, viewed from the bridge

Outside links

• Brig of Tay plaque

References

Bridges and crossings on the River Tay
Caputh Bridge	Kinclaven Bridge	Cargill Viaduct	Perth Bridge	Queen's Bridge	West Railway Bridge	Friarton Bridge