Michael R. Atkinson Photography
Kingsgate Bridge, Design and Construction
The University of Durham Council commissioned the bridge and apparently they thought that they would only be able to afford a low level bridge to span the river at the bottom of the valley. This would have been the width of the river itself which was about 120ft, (in 1963 money) which would have required steep steps up the sides of the river bank.
However, the architect, Ove Arup realised that with the clever elegant design and construction method he could build a bridge at 56ft above the river with a span of 350ft for the same money, approx £35,000. it was completed in 1963.
The bridge was cast in two complete and separate halves which had their foundations on the opposite river banks. They were constructed in such a way that no scaffolding was required in the river which meant that during construction the river traffic was not interrupted.
The two supports on the opposite river banks consisted of a double cone rising from a cylindrical base laid on bored piles.The inner and outer shells of the cone revolve enabling the two halves of the bridge to be constructed in parallel with each other before being swung into place on completion.
The bronze expansion joints at the centre of the bridge which permit horizontal movement due to temperature change.
In addition, to break up the large expanse of plain concrete surface, triangular grooves were formed in the parapets to coincide with the construction joints and the precast water spouts.
Bridge Data
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Completion Date - November 1963
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Height above the river - 16.8 m
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Span - 105 m
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Foundation Pile diameter - 45 cm
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Weight - 304 Tonnes
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Construction - Holst and Company
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Design - Ove Arup and Partners
Useful Links
Arup - The Kingsgate Bridge (YouTube Videos)
Historic England Listed Building Status