Queens Bridge (Belfast)

Queen's Bridge is a five masonary arch bridge in Belfast. It provides a crossing of the Lagan for the A2 in a westbound direction, while further downstream, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge caters for eastbound traffic.

The bridge is listed at category B+ and was opened in 1843. It acquired its name after Queen Victoria's visit of 1849.

In 1885 the bridge was widened with cantilevered metal girders to bring the road deck width to 18.9m.

The Long Bridge

Prior to the 1840s, the Lagan was spanned at this point by the Long Bridge, the lowest crossing point on the river. Erected in the 1680s, it comprised 21 arches spanning 840ft in total. Including its long approach from Ballymacarrett on the Co Down side, it was almost a mile long (hence its name). However, it was too narrow (c.20ft wide) to carry the increasing volume of traffic and by 1830 it was considered unfit for purpose, the year in which its replacement was announced.