The terms viaduct and bridge can cause confusion. A viaduct is a type of bridge, but only certain bridges can be described as viaducts. What is the difference?
The terms viaduct and bridge can cause confusion. A viaduct is a type of bridge, but only certain bridges can be described as viaducts. What is the difference between them? Here is an overview.
A viaduct is a bridge that connects two elevated points, such as a valley, gorge, or body of water, with the purpose of carrying road or rail traffic. They are usually built as a series of arches of an equal span and constructed from stone or concrete, although steel piers or columns can sometimes be used.
The world’s oldest viaduct is the Sankey ‘Nine Arches’ Viaduct in St Helens, Merseyside. It was designed by George Stephenson to carry the Liverpool & Manchester Railway over the Snakey Valley and Canal. It opened in 1830 and is still in operation today. It is built from yellow sandstone and red brick, and is a Grade I listed structure.
Some viaducts have dual decks which allow them to carry both road and rail traffic. The first viaduct of this kind was the Lethbridge Viaduct in Newcastle, more commonly known as the High Level Bridge. It opened in 1849 and was designed by Robert Stephenson. Its main structural elements are made from cast or wrought iron and it is supported by masonry piers.
Structures that carry canals over valleys or other bodies of water are known as aqueducts. These have existed in some form since the time of the Roman Empire, but during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century hundreds of aqueducts were constructed around the world.
Bridges are mostly built over bodies of water, such as rivers or estuaries. There are many different types of bridge and they can be built from a wide variety of materials. The design of the bridge will depend on its purpose, intended use, and the geographical location.
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