The Edmondson Blog

Since the Dee Bridge Disaster in 1847, new bridge designs have collapsed every 30 years or so as designers push them to, and beyond, their limits. Presently, a new design of bridge, the cable stayed bridge (such as the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford in Kent) is being pushed to its limits. It is over-time for another disaster…

1847 Dee Bridge – cast iron girder bridge.
Then 32 years pass:
1879 Tay Bridge – continuous girder bridge (see illustration above).
Then 28 years pass:
1907 Quebec Bridge – cantilever bridge.
Then 33 years pass:
1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge – suspension bridge.
Then 30 years pass:
1970 Milford Haven Bridge (now called the Cleddau Bridge), spanning the River Cleddau in Wales, and Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, Australia – both box girder bridges.

It has now been 38 years and counting…