Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
How it was built
After the long delay following the building of the piers, the assembly of the bridge was a comparatively straightforward process.
Six lengths of steel wire were strung across the gorge side by side. Planks of wood were secured across them to create a temporary footbridge. The bars of the chains were then laid out and assembled on top of the footbridge with each section winched out in a light cart on wheels running along a seventh wire strung above it.
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
Once the first chain was complete the second and in turn the third chains were laid and constructed in the same way, on top of the chain below.
With the chains complete, iron rods were suspended down from each of the three chains in turn - bottom, middle, top - which spread the load evenly.
Two girders running the entire length of the bridge were attached to the rods in 5 metre sections, using 2 long-gibbed cranes (one on each side of the bridge), mounted on rails. Then cross-girders were fixed between these longitudinal girders, to brace the structure. The rails were extended over the cross-girders, the crane moved forward, and the process repeated.
Finally thick pine wooden sleepers were laid on top of the cross girders to form the base of the bridge's roadway.
When it was finished the builders still had to prove to the Government Inspectors it was safe. In November 1864 they placed 500 tons of stone on the roadway. The bridge sagged just 15 cms and settled straight back into place when the load was removed. Job done!