View source for Transporter bridge

{{Short description|Movable bridge that carries a segment of roadway across an obstacle}}
{{BridgeTypePix
|image=EERSTE PONT-TRANSBORDEUR IN NEDERLAND-PGM4011581.webm
|image_title= Operation of a small transporter bridge at Maarsserbrug
|type_name=Transporter bridge
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|material=Steel
|movable=Yes
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{{GeoGroup}}
A '''transporter bridge''', also known as a '''ferry bridge''' or '''aerial transfer bridge''', is a type of [[movable bridge]] that carries a segment of roadway across a river. The [[Aerial tramway|gondola]] is slung from a tall span by [[wire]]s or a metal frame. The design has been used to cross navigable [[river]]s or other bodies of water, where there is a requirement for ship traffic to be able to pass. This has been a rare type of bridge, with fewer than two dozen built. There are just twelve that continue to be used today. 

==History==
The concept of the transporter bridge was invented in 1873 by Charles Smith (1844–1882), the manager of an engine works in [[Hartlepool]], England. He called it a "bridge ferry" and unsuccessfully presented his ideas to councils in Hartlepool, [[Middlesbrough]], and [[Glasgow]].<ref name=Northern_Echo_2011>{{cite web|url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/memories/9301870.Transporter_Bridge_left_boats_in_its_wake/|title = Transporter Bridge left boats in its wake|first = Chris|last = Lloyd|date = 12 October 2011|work = www.thenorthernecho.co.uk|publisher = [[The Northern Echo]]|access-date = 25 October 2011}}</ref><!--additional info worth adding: Arnodin and Palacio took up the idea in 1887. It appears also from this supplement that the word "transporter" is an anglicisation of their term "transbordeur", meaning "across the shores" or "across the banks".-->

The first transporter bridge, [[Vizcaya Bridge]] was built between [[Las Arenas]] and [[Portugalete]], Spain, in 1893. The design from [[Alberto Palacio]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puente Colgante - Transbordador de Bizkaia |url=https://puente-colgante.com/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Puente Colgante |language=es-ES}}</ref> inspired others to attempt similar structures. The idea came about in locations where it was seen as impractical to build long approach ramps that would be required to reach a high span, and in places where [[ferry|ferries]] are not easily able to cross. Because transporter bridges can carry only a limited load, the idea was little used after the rise of the [[automobile]].

The first such bridge built in France, the 1898 [[Rouen]] bridge crossing the [[Seine]], was destroyed by the French Army to slow down German troops in [[World War II]]. Transporter bridges were popular in France, where five were erected and another partially completed.

[[File:Bridges 34.png|thumb|The [[Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge]] was the first in Britain and the largest transporter bridge in the world.]]


The United Kingdom has four transporter bridges, though [[Warrington Transporter Bridge]] is disused and the modern [[Royal Victoria Dock Bridge]], though designed with the potential to be used as a transporter bridge, has so far only been used as a high-level footbridge. The [[Newport Transporter Bridge]] was built in 1906 across the [[River Usk]] in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]]. Because the river banks are very low at the crossing point (a few miles south of the city centre) a traditional bridge would need a very long approach ramp and a ferry could not be used at low tide. The Newport Bridge was a [[Ferdinand Arnodin]] design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transporter Bridge |url=http://www.transporter-bridge.co.uk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004013637/http://www.transporter-bridge.co.uk/ |archive-date=2008-10-04 |access-date=2008-10-04}}</ref> The [[Tees Transporter Bridge|Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge]] opened in 1911 crossing the [[River Tees]].<ref name=Northern_Echo_2011/> It was featured in the 2002 series of the popular British TV show ''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]''; the programme's plot had the bridge being dismantled and re-erected in Arizona, US.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1985075.stm|title=Bridge not under threat, pet|work=BBC News|date=13 May 2002 |publisher=news.bbc.co.uk | access-date=20 January 2009}}</ref> The [[Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge]], demolished in the early 1960s, was the first of its type in Britain, and the largest ever built.

In the United States, two such bridges were built. The first was the [[Aerial Bridge]] built in [[Duluth, Minnesota]] in 1905, although the city had originally planned to build a vertical lift bridge at the site. The transporter design was used for about 25 years before the structure was reconfigured to lift a central span in 1930.

The second American transporter bridge was different from other designs and partially resembled [[gondola lift]]s used in mountainous regions. The [[Sky Ride]] was part of the 1933&ndash;34 Chicago World's Fair ("[[Century of Progress]]"). It was taken down after two years, and was the longest bridge of this type ever built at the time.

Two historic transporter bridges survive in Germany. The [[Rendsburg High Bridge|bridge]] at [[Rendsburg]], from 1913 is two bridges in one: a [[railroad]] link crosses on the top span, and the suspended ferry carries traffic on the valley floor. The [[Osten Transporter Bridge]] at Osten is four years older and was the first transporter bridge in Germany.

==List of transporter bridges==
===Existing bridges ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Bridge || class="unsortable" | Image ||width=10%| City ||width=10%| Country || Completed ||width=7%| Span || Clearance || Height || In Use? || Coordinates || class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Vizcaya Bridge]] || [[File:Zubia jun.jpg|175px]] || [[Portugalete]]/[[Getxo]] || {{flag|Spain}} ||align="center"| 1893 || {{convert|164|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|45|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|61.3|m|abbr=on}} || {{Yes}} || {{coord|43|19|23|N|3|1|1|W|type:landmark|name=Vizcaya Bridge}} || In use 24/7, passenger fare 0.45 euro in 2022 (1.60 at night), fares between 1.65 and 3.50 for vehicles. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2006. It has become a prototype for subsequent bridges.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Rochefort-Martrou Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Charente Maritime Rochefort pont transbordeur sud.jpg|175px]] || [[Rochefort, Charente-Maritime]] || {{flag|France}} ||align="center"| 1900 || {{convert|140|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|50|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|66.5|m|abbr=on}} || {{Yes}} || {{coord|45|54|58|N|0|57|38|W|type:landmark|name=Rochefort-Martrou Transporter Bridge}} || In use during the summer. This bridge may be seen in the film ''[[The Young Girls of Rochefort]]''.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Aerial Lift Bridge]] || [[File:Aerial lift bridge duluth mn.jpg|175px]] || [[Duluth, Minnesota]] || {{flag|United States}} ||align="center"| 1905 || {{convert|120|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|41.1|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|69.5|m|abbr=on}} || {{No}} || {{coord|46|46|44|N|92|5|34|W|type:landmark|name=Aerial Lift Bridge}} || No longer a transporter bridge; converted into a [[lift bridge]] in 1929, in use.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Newport Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Transporter Bridge, from Coronation Park.jpg|175px]] || [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1906 || {{convert|196.6|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|50|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|73.6|m|abbr=on}} || {{No}} The bridge is closed for restoration work and the construction of the new visitor centre.	|| {{coord|51|34|14|N|2|59|8|W|type:landmark|name=Newport Transporter Bridge}} || Currently [2023] closed again for repairs and construction of the new visitor centre with a planned Summer 2024 reopening.{{Update inline|date=August 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transporter Bridge |url=https://www.newport.gov.uk/heritage/en/Transporter-Bridge/Transporter-Bridge.aspx |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=newport.gov.uk}}</ref> Appears in the film ''[[Tiger Bay (1959 film)|Tiger Bay]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge |url=http://www.fontb.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=fontb.org.uk}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Osten Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Osten.jpg|175px]] || [[Osten]] || {{flag|Germany}} ||align="center"| 1909 || {{convert|80|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|30|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|38|m|abbr=on}} || {{Yes}} || {{coord|53|41|39|N|9|10|58|E|type:landmark|name=Osten Transporter Bridge}} || In use, but only as a tourist attraction.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, stockton side.jpg|175px]] || [[Middlesbrough]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1911 || {{convert|180|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|49|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|68|m|abbr=on}} || {{No}}. The bridge has been closed due to safety concerns. Refurbishment works are currently being developed with the aim to reopen the structure in 2032 || {{coord|54|35|4|N|1|13|40|W|type:landmark|name=Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge}} || The bridges future is currently in discussion with Mayor Sir Ben Houchen due to the £60M GBP it is estimated to cost for full repairs of the bridge to be put back into operation, residents have mixed opinions on this and there is currently a public consultation into whether it should get knocked down and replaced or repaired due to its significant history and pride in the local area of the Teesside.{{cn|date=December 2025}}
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Rendsburg High Bridge]] || [[File:Rendsburgerhochbruecke.jpg|175px]] || [[Rendsburg]] || {{flag|Germany}} ||align="center"| 1913 || {{convert|140|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|42|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|68|m|abbr=on}} || {{Yes}} || {{coord|54|17|37|N|9|40|56|E|type:landmark|name=Rendsburg High Bridge}} || Only known combo railroad/transporter bridge. Gondola was destroyed in a collision with a ship in 2016, but has been replaced by an exact replica in 2022.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Puente Transbordador|Puente Transbordador Nicolás Avellaneda]] || [[File:Buenos Aires Most Transportowy 2.jpg|175px]] || [[Buenos Aires]]/[[Dock Sud]] || {{flag|Argentina}} ||align="center"| 1914 || 103.6&nbsp;m (340&nbsp;ft) || {{convert|43.5|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|52|m|abbr=on}} || {{Yes}} || {{coord|34|38|18|S|58|21|22|W|type:landmark|name=Puente Transbordador}} || In use. It was closed in 1960 but was restored and reopened in September 2017.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Warrington Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Wartranny.jpg|175px]] || [[Warrington]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1916 || {{convert|57|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|23|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|27|m|abbr=on}} || {{No}} || {{coord|53|23|1|N|2|36|27|W|type:landmark|name=Warrington Transporter Bridge}}|| Disused. Originally for rail wagons. Converted for road vehicles in 1940. Listed as an "ancient monument", but still at risk. (One of two originally at this site; the other, from 1905 did not survive.)
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Puente Nicolás Avellaneda]] || [[File:The new Nicolas Avellaneda Transporter Bridge, La Boca.jpg|175px]] || [[Buenos Aires]]/[[Dock Sud]] || {{flag|Argentina}} ||align="center"| 1940 || 60&nbsp;m (197&nbsp;ft) || {{convert|21|m|abbr=on}} (not lifted), {{convert|43|m|abbr=on}} (lifted) || {{convert|57|m|abbr=on}} || {{Yes}} || {{coord|34|38|17|S|58|21|21|W|type:landmark|name=Puente Nicolás Avellaneda}} || Transporter bridge below a liftable section of a vertical lift bridge. Since 1960 only used, when the road on the bridge is closed for maintenance work.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| [[Royal Victoria Dock Bridge]] || [[File:Royal Victoria Dock Bridge.jpg|175px]] || [[London]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1998 || {{convert|128|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|45|m|abbr=on}} || {{No}} || {{coord|43|19|23|N|3|1|1|W|type:landmark|name=Royal Victoria Dock Bridge}} || Designed to allow use as a transporter bridge but currently only in use as a high-level footbridge.
|-
|bgcolor=EAECF0| {{ill|Erlebnisbrücke|sv|Erlebnisbrücke Nordkanal}} || [[File:Brücke über die Niers.jpg|175px]] || Near [[Mönchengladbach]] || {{flag|Germany}} ||align="center"| 2003 || {{convert|24.3|m|abbr=on}} ||  ||  || {{Yes}} || {{coord|51|14|17.1|N|6|28|28.52|E|type:landmark|name=Erlebnisbrücke}} || Small human-powered transporter bridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://structurae.net/en/structures/erlebnisbrucke|title=Erlebnisbrücke (Mönchengladbach, 2003)|website=Structurae|language=en|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref>
|}

===Historic bridges===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Bridge || class="unsortable" | Image ||width=10%| Location ||width=10%| Country || Completed ||width=7%| Span || Notes
|-
| [[Messrs. Crosfield’s Transporter Bridge]] {{coord|53|23|11.72|N|2|36|22.96|W|type:landmark|name=Messrs. Crosfield’s Transporter Bridge Transporter Bridge}} || || [[Warrington]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1905 || 76 m || demolished
|-
| [[Bizerta/Brest Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Romance of Modern Mechanism 23.png|175px]] || [[Bizerta]] || {{flag|Tunisia}} ||align="center"| 1898 || 109 m || Moved to [[Brest, France]] in 1909, damaged 1944, demolished 1947.
|-
| [[Bordeaux Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Vue du port de la Lune.jpg|175px]] || [[Bordeaux]] || {{flag|France}} ||align="center"| &mdash; || 400 m<br />(total) || Started 1910, but never completed. Demolished, 1942.
|-
| [[Devil's Dyke Transporter Bridge]] || || [[Devil's Dyke, Sussex|Devil's Dyke]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1894 || 198 m || Demolished, 1909.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=Tyrrell |first=Henry Grattan |title=Transporter Bridges |page=5 |year=1912 |url=https://archive.org/stream/transporterbridg00tyrrrich#page/n8/mode/1up |place=Toronto |publisher=[[University of Toronto]] Engineering Society |oclc=1157907052}}</ref><ref>{{Citation
  | last = Waddell
  | first = John
  | title = Bridge Engineering
  | place = New York
  | publisher = Wiley
  | year = 1916
  | volume = I
  | page = 671
  | url = https://archive.org/stream/bridgeengineerin01wadd#page/670/mode/2up}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Cableway for passenger traffic at Brighton, England |journal=Engineering News-Record |volume=33 |issue=5 |date=31 January 1895 |pages=67–8 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101061104293;view=1up;seq=93;size=175|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kiel Transporter Bridge]] 
{{coord|54.321944|10.161944|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline}}
| [[File:Schwebefähre der Kaiserlichen Werft.jpg|175px]] || [[Kiel]] || {{flag|German Empire}} ||align="center"| 1910 || 128 m || Demolished, 1923.
|-
| [[Maarsserbrug]] || [[File:Maarsserbrug_met_transbordeur.jpg|left|175x175px]]|| [[Maarssen]] || {{flag|The Netherlands|1937}} ||align="center"| 1938 || 88 m || Fixed bridge for regular traffic with transporter for agricultural usages, removed in 1959.
|-
| [[Marseille Transporter Bridge]] 
{{coord|43.294184|5.363646|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline}}
| [[File:Pont Transbordeur-01.jpg|175px]] || [[Marseille]] || {{flag|France}} ||align="center"| 1905 || 165 m || Destroyed, 1944.
|-
| [[Nantes Transporter Bridge]] 
{{coord|47.208516|-1.565756|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline}}
| [[File:Nantes-pont-transbordeur-CP165LL.jpg|175px]] || [[Nantes]] || {{flag|France}} ||align="center"| 1903 || 141 m || Demolished, 1958.
|-
| [[Puente Transbordador Presidente Sáenz Peña]] || [[File:Puente Transbordador Sáenz Peña.jpg|175px]] || [[Buenos Aires]] || {{flag|Argentina}} ||align="center"| 1913 ||  || Demolished, 1965.
|-
| [[Puente Transbordador Presidente Urquiza]] || [[File:Transbordador Urquiza (MCBA, 1944).jpg|175px]] || [[Buenos Aires]] || {{flag|Argentina}} ||align="center"| 1915 ||  || Demolished, 1968.
|-
| [[Ponte Alexandrino de Alencar]] 
{{coord|-22.896171|-43.176345|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline}}
| || [[Rio de Janeiro]] || {{flag|Brazil}} ||align="center"| 1915 || 171 m || Demolished, 1935.
|-
| [[Rouen Transporter Bridge]] || [[File:Pont transbordeur de Rouen 2.jpg|175px]] || [[Rouen]] || {{flag|France}} ||align="center"| 1898 || 142 m || Destroyed, 1940.
|-
| [[Sky Ride]] ||  [[File:Aerial View Of Sky Ride And Panorama Of " A Century Of Progress." (NBY 416916).jpg|175px]]|| [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] || {{flag|United States|1934}} ||align="center"| 1933 || 564 m || Demolished, 1934.
|-
| Knoxville Transporter Bridge || || [[Knoxville, Tennessee]] || {{flag|United States}} ||align="center"| 1894 || || Demolished.<ref name=":0" />
|-
| [[Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge]] {{coord|53|20|47.76|N|2|44|10.68|W|type:landmark|name=Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge}} || [[File:Runcorn transporter bridge (Wonder Book of Engineering Wonders, 1931).jpg|175px]] || [[Widnes]]-[[Runcorn]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}} ||align="center"| 1905 || 304 m || Demolished, 1961.
|}

==See also==
* [[Moveable bridge#Types|Movable bridges]] for a list of other movable bridge types

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Related Articles ==

* [[Southwest Line]]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Transporter bridges}}
*[http://www.fontb.org.uk/ The Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/08/09/360_transporter_bridge_feature.shtml BBC Article on the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge]
*[http://www.warringtontransporterbridge.co.uk Warrington Transporter Bridge]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2009/01/15/tees_bridges_feature.shtml BBC article on the Bridges of the River Tees]
*[http://en.structurae.de/structures/ftype/index.cfm?ID=2056 Structurae: Transporter bridges]
*[http://www.schwebefaehre.org: The World of Transporter bridges] {{in lang|de}}
*[http://www.pont-transbordeur.fr/ Rochefort Transporter Bridge official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110823114222/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/angela.wood850/Flying%20Bridges/Transporter%20Bridge%20Files/Transporter%20Bridges.htm Flying Bridges: A Short History of Transporter Bridges]
* [http://www.leuchtturm-welt.net/HTML/SWFPK/SWF.HTM Transporter Bridges on historic postcards]
* [https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?buildingID=1704,48149,72619,85394,115651,115653,115654,115655,115657,94019 Transporter Bridges] on [http://www.skyscraperpage.com Skyscraperpage.com]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Transporter Bridge}}
[[Category:1873 introductions]]
[[Category:British inventions]]
[[Category:Spanish inventions]]
[[Category:Transporter bridges| ]]
[[Category:Bridges by structural type]]