The transporter bridge in Newport is an
iconic symbol, the one structure that any visitor to the town has to
see. It is one of only three such bridges in Britain, one of only
eight in the whole world. The bridge was opened on 12 September 1906.
Designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin and built by the
contractor Alfred Thorne of Westminster, it was the culmination of
many years' discussion and consideration.
There had been numerous proposals for
bridges and subways under the River Usk at this eastern end of the
town but none of them had come to life, mainly due to the nature of
the work required and the high cost.
The banks of the river were - and still
are - very low at this point and it would have required long steep
approach ramps to build a bridge with sufficient height to allow
ships to pass underneath.
