Royal Albert Bridge

About

The Royal Albert Bridge is a railway bridge which spans the River Tamar in England, between Plymouth, Devon and Saltash, Cornwall. Its unique design consists of two 455-foot (138.7 m) lenticular iron trusses 100 feet (30.5 m) above the water and conventional plate-girder approach spans. Its total length is 2,187.5 feet (666.8 m).

It carries the Cornish Main Line railway in and out of Cornwall and is adjacent to the Tamar Bridge, which opened in 1961 to carry the A38 road. The Royal Albert Bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Surveying started in 1848 and construction commenced in 1854.

The first main span was positioned in 1857 and the completed bridge was opened by Prince Albert on 2 May 1859. Brunel died later that year and his name was then placed above the portals at either end of the bridge as a memorial. During the 20th century, the approach spans were replaced, and the main spans strengthened.

It has attracted sightseers since its construction, appearing in many paintings, photographs, guidebooks, postage stamps and on the UK's £2 coin. Anniversary celebrations took place in 1959 and 2009.