Marriott Ogle Tarbotton designed the bridge. Andrew Handyside, a Derbyshire ironmaker, began construction in 1868 and finished it in 1871. The new Trent Bridge was built as part of a series of initiatives along the river's banks to increase flood defenses by building stepped stone embankments. These were intended not only to protect downstream properties but also to improve fishing opportunities by providing safe nesting sites for fish.
The original bridge was an elegant structure with three arches that spanned 180 feet across the river. It was made entirely of cast iron with some brick pilasters and granite abutments. The total cost of the bridge was £10,000 ($150,000 in today's dollars).
Trent Bridge was a major success when it opened. It became a popular destination for excursions and was used by pedestrians, horses, and carts. This helped fuel the growth of local industry including coal mining and pottery making.
In 1877, after five years of use, the original bridge collapsed during a severe storm. A new bridge was quickly constructed of wood by John Wolfe Barry using designs by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton. This new bridge lasted only seven years before it too collapsed into the river. After this second collapse, the town council decided that a bridge too far could be worse than no bridge at all so they approved construction of yet another iron bridge by Henry Holt.
Trent Bridge is a road bridge that spans the River Trent in Nottingham, England. Although the upstream Clifton Bridge is wider and busier, it is the main river crossing for entering the city from the south. The bridge carries four lanes of traffic, with space for additional lanes during peak hours.
The original bridge was built by John Wolfe-Barry in 1867. This was followed by an improvement order in 1892 by Sir Hugh Tayler which included lighting the structure at night time. The current bridge was completed in 1956 by Simpson & Brown. It replaces an earlier structure that was destroyed by German bombing raids in April 1943.
The name "Trent Bridge" comes from the nearby suburb of Trent Barton. The bridge forms part of the A60/A617 road network, connecting London to the north via the East Midlands conurbation. It is within walking distance of Nottingham's City Centre and near to other major landmarks such as the Old Market Square and Sherwood Forest.
Trent Bridge is one of only two remaining Victorian cross-river bridges in Britain (the other being the Gantock Bridge over the Menai Strait in Wales). The bridge has been listed as a Grade II* listed building since November 1971.
It is estimated that around 70,000 vehicles use the bridge each day.
Because it utilised assembly-line procedures, this project was a first in bridge building. The business constructed a manufacturing factory near the northern end of Lake Pontchartrain, where the bridge would be located. All of the concrete pieces for the causeway were then poured, cured, and erected on-site. The entire length of the bridge took just over two years to complete.
They built the bridge because there were no bridges across Lake Pontchartrain at the time. The only way to get from one side of the lake to the other was by boat or highway. Building a bridge was the best option for moving people and goods quickly over this important transportation link.
The Pontchartrain Bridge was also a feat of engineering. It was the first large-scale production bridge made entirely out of reinforced concrete. The main portion of the bridge is about 1 mile long. There are also two approaches: one for cars and trucks, the other for pedestrians and bicyclists. These crossings provide access to the businesses along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.
This bridge was also unique because it had a lift span that could be raised to allow ships to pass under it. However, this feature was not used much, if at all, during its lifetime.
The last major renovation to the bridge occurred in 1995.
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