George Street Bridge, Newport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Street Bridge |
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George Street Bridge as seen from the promenade at Powell's Town Wharf on the west bank
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| Coordinates | 51°35′03″N 2°59′04″W / 51.5842°N 2.9844°W |
| Carries | Motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians |
| Crosses | River Usk |
| Locale | Newport |
| Official name | George Street Bridge |
| Maintained by | Newport City Council |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Width | Four-lane carriageway, two cycle/footpaths (total 84 feet / 25½ metres) |
| Height | 171 feet (52 metres) |
| Longest span | 500 feet (152 metres) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Mott, Hay & Anderson |
| Construction begin | 1962 |
| Opened | 9 April 1964 |
The George Street Bridge [1] is an important bridge in Newport, South Wales. It crosses the River Usk in the community of Victoria. This bridge is a special type of structure. It is listed as a Grade II* building. This means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Opening Day
The George Street Bridge opened on 9 April 1964. It was a very special event. This bridge was the first cable-stayed bridge ever built in the United Kingdom. A cable-stayed bridge uses strong cables that go from tall towers to support the bridge deck. This design makes the bridge look very modern and strong.
Before this bridge was built, there were only two ways to cross the River Usk in central Newport. These were the Newport Bridge and the Newport Transporter Bridge. The new George Street Bridge made it much easier to travel across the river.
Many big and fancy names were suggested for the bridge. But in the end, it was named after a smaller street called George Street. This street is on the western side of the River Usk.
How the Bridge Was Planned
When the George Street Bridge was first planned, it was going to be very wide. The original idea was for it to have six lanes for traffic. However, plans changed. Another big bridge, the M4 motorway Usk bridge, was already being planned further up the river. Because of this, the George Street Bridge was made smaller. It was built with four lanes instead of six.
