Iron Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iron Bridge |
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The Iron Bridge
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| Carries | pedestrian traffic |
| Crosses | River Severn |
| Locale | Ironbridge Gorge near Coalbrookdale |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | cast iron arch bridge |
| Total length | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Longest span | 30.5 metres (100 ft) |
| Clearance below | 18 metres (59 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1775 |
| Construction end | 1779 |
| Opened | 1781-01-01 |
The Iron Bridge is a very famous bridge in England. It was the first bridge in the world to be made mostly from cast iron. This special bridge crosses the River Severn in a beautiful area called the Ironbridge Gorge. This area is near the village of Ironbridge in Shropshire, England.
The Iron Bridge is so important that it's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized as a place of special cultural or historical value to the whole world. The bridge is looked after by English Heritage. They even asked people to help raise money in 2017 to fix parts of it. This big repair project started in 2018. They fixed rusty parts and even painted the bridge red. This red color matches how the bridge looked in a painting from 1777, soon after it was finished.
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Building the Iron Bridge
The Iron Bridge was a huge step forward in engineering. Before this bridge, most large bridges were made from wood or stone. Using cast iron was a new and exciting idea. Cast iron is a strong metal made by melting iron ore and pouring it into molds.
The building of the bridge started in 1775. It took about four years to build. The bridge was finally opened for people to use on January 1, 1781. It was a big deal because it showed that cast iron could be used to build large, strong structures.
Why the Iron Bridge is Special
The Iron Bridge is important for many reasons.
- First of its kind: It was the first large bridge made from cast iron. This opened the door for many other iron and steel structures around the world.
- Industrial Revolution: It's a symbol of the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when new machines and factories changed how things were made. The Iron Bridge showed how new materials could be used in amazing ways.
- World Heritage Site: Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site means it's protected and valued globally. It's a place where history comes alive.
Keeping the Bridge Safe
Because the Iron Bridge is so old and important, it needs a lot of care. Over the years, parts of the cast iron can rust or get damaged. That's why English Heritage works hard to keep it in good shape.
In 2017, they started a project to raise money. Many people helped by donating. This money was used to fix the bridge and make sure it stays strong for many more years. The bridge was painted red to match its original look. This helps us imagine what it was like when it was first built.
Gallery
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This is a reconstruction showing how the arches of the Iron Bridge were put together
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Buildings which were a context for the Iron Bridge in 1988
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