Perth Bridge

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Perth Bridge
A view of seven of Perth Bridge's nine arches
Carries	Two lanes of the A85
Crosses	River Tay
Locale	Perth, Scotland
Maintained by	Perth and Kinross Council
Design	Arch
Opening date	1771

Perth Bridge (also known as Smeaton's Bridge and, locally, the Old Bridge) is a toll-free bridge in the royal burgh of Perth, Scotland. It spans the River Tay, connecting the centre of Perth, on the eastern side of the river, to Bridgend, on its western side, carrying both automotive and pedestrian traffic of West Bridge Street (the A85).

The bridge was completed in October 1771,^[1]^[2] which places it in the Georgian era; however, its plaque states the year in which construction began, 1766, as its "built" date. The engineer of its construction was John Smeaton, for whom the bridge is named.

Funded by the Earl of Kinnoull, the government, and public subscription, the bridge was put to the test three years after its completion. In February 1774, during a quick thaw, broken ice became wedged under the arches and created a natural dam. Large sections of Perth, including both of its Inches, were flooded. The bridge, however, stood firm.^[3] It has survived many subsequent floods, and marks documenting these levels are visible on one of its piers.^[4]

An increase in traffic resulted in the bridge being widened in 1869 by A.D. Stewart. Its stone parapets were removed, and footpaths projected over iron brackets.^[3]

[edit] Gallery

Smeaton's Bridge, with St. Matthew's Church, on Tay Street, on the left, looking north from Queen's Bridge

A plaque on the bridge stating its year of completion is incorrect: the bridge's construction was actually begun in 1766 but completed in 1771. Also mentioned is the year the bridge was widened: 1869. Its location can be seen on the right-hand side of the bridge in the next image

A view from Bridgend's East Bridge Street to West Bridge Street, which traverses the bridge. Gowrie Street is to the left; Main Street to the right. Perth Museum and Art Gallery is in view at the far end of the bridge