Upon reflection….
Late last night, we crossed the footbridge next to Aviva Studios and looked at the reflection in the River Irwell of one of the most important bridges or viaducts in the world. This is Stephenson’s viaduct from 1830 on the first inter-city railway line on the planet. The reflections look solid as though one could just step into the water and walk that entrancing reverse curve.
What are we seeing in Manchester here?
Two broad but sweet segmental arches (these are arches less than a full half-circle) leaping the river and made from big beefy squared off and smoothed sandstone blocks. At the edges the stone has weathered, softening the structure, making us aware of the years that have passed since construction: telling us, literally, that a lot of water has passed under the bridge. The design is efficient, smart, and because of that simple fitness for purpose, beautiful in how it looks and what it does. It’s cleverly slewed at an angle across the river too.
In these views the bridge/viaduct lives up to its position as one of most significant in human history.
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