Bridge of Oich

The Bridge of Oich (also known as Victoria Bridge, Aberchalder) is a Taper Suspension Bridge, taper principle suspension bridge, designed by James Dredge, Sr., James Dredge, across the River Oich near Aberchalder in Highland (council area), Highland, Scotland. The bridge opened in 1854 and was used to take the main road traffic over the river until 1932.

Overview

The bridge was designed by James Dredge, Sr., James Dredge, an engineer from England. Dredge used his patented 'Taper Suspension Bridge, taper principle' design for the bridge. The bridge uses a Cantilever bridge, double cantilever system where two opposing cantilevers are supported by suspension chains giving it the appearance of a classic suspension bridge. The span of the bridge is and the two main chains are apart. Each of the main chains is made from a series of wrought-iron eye-rods varying in length from to and with a nominal diameter of . The main chains hang over high granite towers and one end of each chain is anchored to the bridge at mid-span and the other ends are anchored below ground inland of the bridge. The chains consist of twelve parallel rods at the tower and progressively reduce in width by one link at each joint towards each end of the chains as they get further from the towers. The decking is of timber, supported on trussed wrought-iron transoms.

History

In 1849 an old stone bridge that spanned the River Oich near Aberchalder was destroyed by flooding. To reduce the risk of a new bridge being damaged by similar flooding, it was decided that a single-span bridge was required to replace the old bridge. English engineer James Dredge, Sr., James Dredge was engaged to provide such a bridge. Dredge used his patented 'Taper Suspension Bridge, taper principle' for the bridge which was opened in 1854. Dredge's bridge carried the main road traffic across the River Oich until the construction of a two-lane concrete bridge in 1932. Following its withdrawal from service, the bridge fell into disrepair and had to be closed to public use. The bridge, which is now a listed building, was renovated for Historic Scotland in 1997, and returned to use as a public footbridge.

Images

Bridge of Oich - deck from the SE.jpg, The timber deck
Bridge of Oich - from the SE.jpg, The chains reducing in width
Bridge of Oich - geograph.org.uk - 889985.jpg, The towers

See also

*
*
*

References

External links

{{Official website, https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/bridge-of-oich

Bridges in Highland (council area)
Bridges by James Dredge
Listed bridges in Scotland
Bridges completed in 1854
1854 establishments in Scotland