 |
Victoria
Falls Bridge
|
||
|
Click link on thumbnail. More images...! . . |
Location
|
Victoria Falls (Zambezi River) | |
|
Designers
|
- | ||
|
Date
|
April 1905 | ||
|
Original
Client
|
Unitary System of the Rhodesian Railways (National Railways of Zimbabwe), National Rail Company | ||
|
Style
|
Arch bridge | ||
|
Discussion
|
The
construction of the world renowned Victoria Falls Bridge is regarded as
one of the major highlights of the railways history in Zimbabwe. It was
conferred International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark (IHCEL) status
by the American Society of Civil Engineers in August 1995 and is regarded
as a great piece of ingenuity and craftsmanship.
The building was completed in April 1905 and opened on September 12 that same year. During its construction there was only one death. A net had been spread below the works across the central part of the gorge, but it was never needed. Surveying work began in 1902-3 and by the end of March 1905 the steelwork erections were sufficiently advanced for the linking up of the lower boom of the arch. "Initially designed for rail only, the bridge was modified in 1929 to cater for road and pedestrian traffic as well. The bridge contains 1868 tonnes of steel, is 89 meters long and has a central span stretching for 135 meters. The rail track and roadway it carries are suspended 95 meters above high water. The bridge was built more for sentimental than practical reasons, as it was the developers wish that it should be "close enough to feel the spray from the falls" and at certain times of the year this is possible and the wish is fulfilled. A simpler crossing of the river could have been achieved a few kilometres further. In its present position, the bridge enables visitors to watch the grandeur of the falls from aspects never otherwise revealed. Today apart from being "one of the highest and best-known bridges in the world", the bridge is also home to the adventure sport of bungee jumping! Ref. . |
||
|
Web
Resources
|
. . . |
||
|
Credits
|
The Zimbabwe Engineer (Oct. 1997) . |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
© 2000-2003 All Rights Reserved. All copyrights on images and trademarks presented here remain property of their respective owners. No images shall be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written consent of the author. No infringement of rights is meant or implied. We will not be responsible nor liable for any loss or damage, including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill or indirect or consequential loss arising out of any use of or inaccuracies in any information on this site. |