Itchen Bridge

The Itchen Bridge is a tolled crossing of the River Itchen in Southampton, carrying the A3025 from Southampton city centre towards Woolston and Hamble, avoiding a four mile detour. It opened in 1977 and replaced an older floating bridge in the same location. It is 870 yards long and 92 feet above water at its highest point.

There had been plans to build a bridge in this location for many years. In the 17th century, a swing bridge was planned, but stopped by the Admiralty as it could block river traffic. The floating bridge, a cable ferry, opened on 23 November 1836. A second ferry was added in 1881, and the operation was sold to the Southampton Corporation in 1934.

Construction of the present bridge began in 1974 and planned to take three years. It opened for traffic on 1 June 1977, with the floating bridge closing at the same time. Upon opening, crowds from either side of the Itchen came to shake hands with each other. An official opening ceremony took place a few weeks later on 13 July with Princess Alexandra.

References

• Bridging the gap - Southampton Daily Echo