Not just Another Bridge…..

The Tay Road Bridge

Another of my images for Valentine of Dundee Post Card Range.  Taken in 1964 it is of the ‘new’ bridge over the Firth of Tay.  I say new despite the fact that this bridge was constructed between 1883 and opened in 1887, new because it replace an earlier bridge.

Earlier, was the Tay Railway Bridge that was opened in 1878.  It was poorly designed and collapsed in high winds, a year later in December 1879.  Sadly a Passenger train was crossing and fell with passengers into the storm driven Tay.  The Tay Bridge Disaster is well documented, a Google search will satisfy those more curious.

Despite its short life, it had proved the importance of this link joining Fife on the southern shore to Dundee on the the northern shore.  Its length is all of 2.75 miles (4.43 kilometres ).  The new construction was now a double track, more solid pillars with heavy girder engineering…. it does though follow, adjacent to the line of the old bridge, the old pillars can still be seen, a reminder perhaps, that cheap construction results in a poor construction… resulting in Fatal results.

I shot the above image from above the strangely named village of Wormit in Fife,  looking across the Tay to Dundee in Angus.  Today we might also call it a commuter link, but it was and still is much more.

 It took until 1966 before a Road Bridge was opened… it was also, in 1966 one of the longest road bridges constructed.

Always take care and…

Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

5th September

(C) David Oakes 2024