Clifton Suspension Bridge Essay -- History Historical Bridge Architect

Clifton Suspension BridgeThe Clifton Suspension Bridge is located in Bristol England, and spans the resplendent Avon gorge. This couplet has become the symbol of Bristol much like the Eiffel tower has of Paris, and the opera house house has of Sydney. The story of the Clifton Suspension Bridge began in 1754 with the dream of a Bristol wine merchant who donated his life savings to build a bridge deck over the gorge. To decide on a suitable design for the bridge a competition was held. doubting Thomas Telford, the leading civil architect of the quantify was the judge. Mr. Telford attempted to submit his own design provided the decision to produce himself the winner was overruled and a second competition was held. This time, contrary to the recommendation of Thomas Telford, 24 year old Isambard Kindom Brunel was declared the winner and appointed exteriorize engineer. Brunels design consisted of a suspension bridge that spanned the breath of the gorge. Telford disagreed with the sentiment of erecting a suspension bridge of this size in such(prenominal) an exposed position. His doubt was likely a result of the near expiry of his last project the Menai suspension bridge. Nonetheless Brunel was given his first commission, and locution on the bridge began. The foundation stone was laid in 1831, however the project was plagued with political problems and by 1843 the project was abandon with only the towers complete. onwards the political and funding problems could be resolved Brunel died an unexpected death at just 53 years old and the project had to be complete with out him. The design of the bridge was altered after his death. The original shunning was far more ornate with stone lions and Egyptian inspired decoration, these were left(a) off the engineers who finished t... ...le plagued this project and by the time it was complete it was no longer the largest spanning bridge, though it is still a spectacular bridge school term 76 meter above a deep go rge. Certainly a site worth seeing, apparently it is breathtaking to drive down the pass to Bristol, turn a sharp corner and the white structure spanning the gorge. now it costs 30p to cross the bridge in a car, pedestrians are not charged, and the speed limit has recently been raised to 25 miles per hour.Work Cited1.)http//www.clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk/index.php, October 27, 20042.)http//www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Clifton_Suspension_Bridge.html, October 27, 20043.)http//www.farvis.com/bridge,htm.htm, October 27, 20044.)http//www.about-bristol.co.uk/lnd-00.asp, October 27, 20045.)http//www.brantacan.co.uk/suspension.htm, October 27, 2004