{{Short description|Cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive in Scotland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use British English|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox bridge | name = Connel Bridge | native_name = | image = Connel Bridge by Memestorm.jpeg | alt = | caption = | coordinates = {{Coord|56.45619|-5.39150|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = NM 91118 34495 | carries = A828 road | crosses = Loch Etive | locale = | other_name = | named_for = | owner = | maint = | website = | preceded = | followed = | design = Cantilever | material = Steel | length = | width = | height = | mainspan = | number_spans = | designer = John Wolfe Barry and others | built = | begin = | complete = | cost = | opened = | inaugurated = | rebuilt = | collapsed = | destroyed = | closed = | demolished = | replaces = | replaced_by = | extra = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Category B Listed Building | designation1_offname = Connel Bridge Loch Etive | designation1_date = 19 July 1971 | designation1_number = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB11986|short=yes}} }} }}
'''Connel Bridge''' is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel in Scotland. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. It is a category B listed structure.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB11986|desc=Connel Bridge Loch Etive|cat=B|access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>
==History== The bridge was built by Arrol's Bridge and Roof Company to carry the Ballachulish branch line of the Callander and Oban Railway, which opened on 20 August 1903.<ref name=can/> Nearly {{convert|2600|long ton|t ST|-1}} of steel were used in its construction and it cost almost £43,000 to build.<ref name="F167">{{Fryer-CandO|page=167}}</ref> When complete it had a longer span than any other railway bridge in Britain except the Forth Bridge, built by a different firm. The Connel Bridge was constructed by a firm called Arrol, of the Germiston Iron Works, Glasgow<ref name=can>{{cite web |url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/23278/details/connel+ferry+bridge/ |title=Connel Ferry Bridge |publisher=canmore.rcahms.gov.uk |access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> It was engineered by John Wolfe Barry.<ref name=can/> The resident engineer responsible for the build was Edward Cruttwell.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2024 |title=railscot.co.uk |url=https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/C/Connel_Ferry_Bridge/ |access-date=2 September 2024 |website=RAILSCOT}}</ref>
[[File:Charabanc as a Railway Carriage.png|thumb|left|The charabanc and single rail car in 1909]] Originally, the bridge carried just the railway (a single track). In 1909, however, an additional train service started running between Connel Ferry station and {{stnlnk|Benderloch}} on which road vehicles could be transported over the bridge. A single car was carried on a wagon hauled by a charabanc that had been adapted to run on rails at St. Rollox railway works in Glasgow.<ref>{{cite book|last=Thomas|first=John|title=The Callander and Oban Railway|publisher=David and Charles|location=Newton Abbot England|year=1966|page=131}}</ref> This service also called at North Connel station at the north end of the bridge.
In 1914, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line. The road occupied the western side of the bridge, with the railway running parallel immediately to the east. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. The road crossed to the opposite side of the railway at the north end of the bridge. A toll was payable by road users.
After the branch line closed in 1966, the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other. Traffic lights are installed at each end of the bridge to enforce one-way traffic.
==Design== thumb|Aerial View [[File:connel bridge plate.jpg|thumb|right|Builder's plate on Connel Bridge]] Connel Bridge has a span of {{convert|524|ft}} between the piers, but a clear span of {{convert|500|ft}} due to the supports which project from the piers towards the centre of the bridge.<ref name=can/> The suspended span, the box-shaped section in the middle of the bridge, is {{convert|232|ft}} long.<ref name=can/> The large span without supporting piers was necessitated by the strong tidal currents of the Falls of Lora, just to the east of the bridge.<ref name=can/><ref name=gmap>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@56.4560721,-5.3917643,481m/data=!3m1!1e3 |title=Connel Bridge |access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref>
The approach viaducts on each side of the bridge both comprise three masonry arches.<ref name=can/> The height limit for vehicles using the bridge is {{convert|4.2|m}}, and taller vehicles have caused damage to the bridge.<ref>{{cite sign |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crossing_Connel_Bridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_630114.jpg |title=Height limit sign on bridge |location=Connel Bridge}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://forargyll.com/2011/09/connell-bridge-closed/ |title=Connel Bridge Closed |publisher=forargyll.com |date=9 September 2011 |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104095057/http://forargyll.com/2011/09/connell-bridge-closed/ |archive-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Filming== Connel Bridge appears in the 1981 film ''Eye of the Needle'', starring Donald Sutherland.<ref>[http://www.scotlandthemovie.com/movies/eyecon.html 'Scotland the Movie' website]</ref> In the film, Sutherland's character is seen riding a stolen motorcycle across the bridge, which he then disposes of by pushing it down the embankment at the north end of the bridge after it runs out of fuel.
==See also== *List of bridges in Scotland
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline}} *[http://ssa.nls.uk/film/5122 Video of cars and trains sharing the bridge circa 1962] at the National Library of Scotland
Category:Bridges in Argyll and Bute Category:Steel bridges in Scotland Category:Cantilever bridges in Scotland Category:Category B listed bridges Category:Category B listed buildings in Argyll and Bute Category:Railway bridges in Scotland Category:Road bridges in Scotland Category:Former toll bridges in Scotland Category:Bridges completed in 1903 Category:1903 establishments in Scotland