Barmouth Bridge

Barmouth Bridge (not to be confused with Pont Briwet) carries the single-track Cambrian railway and a public foot/cycle path over the estuary of Afon Mawddach just south of Barmouth on the Welsh coast. It is the last major bridge of predominantly wooden construction on the British railway network. It is not open to vehicular road traffic. In its history it has had two different types of opening span at its north end. It is listed grade II*; the following quote is from its listing entry:

History

The Barmouth railway bridge was designed by Benjamin Piercy, engineer to the Cambrian Railways, and was opened in June 1867. It was rebuilt in stages from 1899-1909 by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company of Darlington and by Abraham Williams, contractor of Aberdovey. Extensive repairs were carried out between 1981-5.

Exterior

Single-track railway viaduct (751 yards long) with 113 groups of timber supports (pile bents) and 5-span steel section incorporating a swing bridge (built 1899) towards the N (Barmouth) end. Rubble-faced abutment to N shore; concrete to S end. Low trabeated structure with longitudinal timbers supporting main timber deck and rails; cross-braced timber piles with raking shores supported by concrete foundations. Strapped steel cylinders to 2-lane opening section with twin bow-trussed girders tied over track; twin column supports with bulbous caps (wider to opening piers), metal deckand latticework braces. Lower boarded pedestrian walkway with modernrailing on upstream side (an addition of 1868-79).