The Orwell Bridge
Construction of this magnificent bridge commenced in December 1979 and was completed in December 1982.
The Main contractor was Stebbings - a Dutch company.
The bridge is constructed of concrete box girders that allow movement for expansion and contraction.
The main span is 190 metres which, at the time of its construction, was the longest pre-stressed concrete span in use. The total length is 1,287 metres. The width is 24 metres with an Air Draft of 43 metres. Pilings were sunk 40 metres into the river bottom.
The Department of Transport funded the project and, partly because of the Bridge, paid for radars and cameras to be installed at the Port's Orwell Navigation Service to monitor the river and the bridge.
the picture above shows one of the ferries returning to Ipswich from Ostende
leaving the Orwell Bridge behind us, we glimpse through the trees to the right on the gentle slops of the river bank and catch sight of the mysterious
© 2010 Orwell River Cruises Limited
updated
January 27, 2010
