This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.
1826: Menai Strait
Menai Bridge and Bangor vicinity, Wales, United Kingdom - Menai Strait
| Bridgemeister ID: | 382 (added before 2003) |
| Year Completed: | 1826 |
| Name: | Menai Strait |
| Location: | Menai Bridge and Bangor vicinity, Wales, United Kingdom |
| Crossing: | Menai Strait |
| Coordinates: | 53.221367 N 4.1646 W |
| Maps: | Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap |
| Principals: | Thomas Telford |
| References: | AAJ, BBR, BC3, BCO, BDU, BEM, BOU, HBE, MOS, NTB, PTS2 |
| Use: | Vehicular (two-lane), with walkway |
| Status: | In use (last checked: 2025) |
| Main Cables: | Chain (iron) |
| Suspended Spans: | 1 |
| Main Span: | 1 x 176.5 meters (579 feet) |
Notes:
- 1839 (or 1840): Restored. Deck strengthened.
- 1893: Original wood deck replaced with a steel deck.
- 1938-1940: Original wrought-iron chains replaced with steel eyebars, deck strengthened.
- 1999: Deck resurfaced and other improvements to strengthen bridge.
- 2020: Major maintenance project planned to start January, 2021.
- 2022, October: Closed due to serious structural concerns. Expected to reopen January 2023 with a weight restriction.
- 2024, November: Reopened following replacement of all 168 hangers.
- 2025, May: Major maintenance activities delayed until after the hanger replacement project will not be finished in time for the bridge's 200th anniversay on January 30, 2026.
- Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1820 Union - Horncliffe, Berwick-upon-Tweed vicinity, England and Fishwick, Scotland, United Kingdom.
- Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.
External Links:
- Menai Suspension Bridge - Wikipedia
- Menai Suspension Bridge roadworks to drag on as Welsh Government issue update - Yahoo! News, North Wales Live. Article dated May 16, 2025. A major maintenance project will not be done in time for the bridge's 200th anniversary in January 2026 as originally expected. "Phase one works to replace the bridge hangers began on September 4, 2023, and were completed in October 2024. Welsh Government then delayed the start of Phase two - with that work starting in March, with a planned completion by the end of the year. But today they revealed the work will not be finished until spring 2026. This means roadworks and traffic lights will remain in place for months longer, with just one lane open."
- Structurae - Structure ID 20000091
Image Sets:
Dave Cooper, Irene Crest, Jochem Hollestelle, and Michael Levy contributed to the information and/or images for this bridge.
Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.
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