Cross Keys Bridge Sutton Bridge UK
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V70PDB
N 52° 45.994 E 000° 11.714
31U E 310777 N 5849992
Cross Keys Swing Bridge
Waymark Code: WM1XPJ
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 07/28/2007
Views: 85
The current swing bridge known as Crosskeys Bridge which spans the Nene was built in 1897 and was the third bridge to cross the river. Rennie & Telford designed the first which was opened in 1831 as part of the Wash Embankment works. It was of timber and cast iron and opened up rather like Tower Bridge in London. The bridge was found to be awkwardly sited and in 1850, its replacement designed by Robert Stephenson, was opened, its position being approximately halfway between where the original one stood and the present day bridge stands. It was a swing bridge, used only for road traffic until 1864 when the Midland railway acquired powers to use it for rail traffic too. The current bridge was built in 1897 and cost £80,000 to build. It was hoped that the 1850 bridge could be left in position for rail use but the river authorities decided that two bridges so close together constituted a hazard for shipping, and it was removed. The current (1897) bridge was dual purpose, serving both road and rail traffic up until 1965 when the railway closed. It then took on its present day usage with road traffic travelling both east and west on the A17 trunk road between Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
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