Garscube Bridge

Garscube Bridge (also known as Killermont Bridge) carries the D2 A81 across the River Kelvin. The bridge consists of two very flat, wide arches with a central pier in the river bed. The structure is rendered, making it difficult to tell if it is a stone or concrete bridge, although the date of 1929 would suggest an early concrete structure. However, whilst the central buttress over the pier has a touch of art deco about it, the parapets are elegant balustrades suggesting a Victorian or earlier influence. The truth is that while the arches are indeed concrete, the abutments, pier and balusters are all Granite.

Looking across the bridge

The river here defines the boundary between Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire, both historically and in modern authorities. This suggests that the bridge was a joint effort between two county councils, and will still be maintained by them jointly. Today it is also the start of a 50 limit heading into Glasgow, and immediately to the north of the bridge a set of traffic lights control access into a residential area. This has resulted in a fifth traffic lane, for right turning traffic, being squeezed onto the road deck.

History

Obviously, on such an important route, the current bridge replaces a much older structure. However, other than that it was a triple masonry arch span, little information on the old bridge is known.