Editing Transporter bridge (section)

==History==
The concept of the transporter bridge was invented in 1873 by Charles Smith (1844–1882), the manager of an engine works in [[Hartlepool]], England. He called it a "bridge ferry" and unsuccessfully presented his ideas to councils in Hartlepool, [[Middlesbrough]], and [[Glasgow]].<ref name=Northern_Echo_2011>{{cite web|url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/memories/9301870.Transporter_Bridge_left_boats_in_its_wake/|title = Transporter Bridge left boats in its wake|first = Chris|last = Lloyd|date = 12 October 2011|work = www.thenorthernecho.co.uk|publisher = [[The Northern Echo]]|access-date = 25 October 2011}}</ref><!--additional info worth adding: Arnodin and Palacio took up the idea in 1887. It appears also from this supplement that the word "transporter" is an anglicisation of their term "transbordeur", meaning "across the shores" or "across the banks".-->

The first transporter bridge, [[Vizcaya Bridge]] was built between [[Las Arenas]] and [[Portugalete]], Spain, in 1893. The design from [[Alberto Palacio]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puente Colgante - Transbordador de Bizkaia |url=https://puente-colgante.com/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Puente Colgante |language=es-ES}}</ref> inspired others to attempt similar structures. The idea came about in locations where it was seen as impractical to build long approach ramps that would be required to reach a high span, and in places where [[ferry|ferries]] are not easily able to cross. Because transporter bridges can carry only a limited load, the idea was little used after the rise of the [[automobile]].

The first such bridge built in France, the 1898 [[Rouen]] bridge crossing the [[Seine]], was destroyed by the French Army to slow down German troops in [[World War II]]. Transporter bridges were popular in France, where five were erected and another partially completed.

[[File:Bridges 34.png|thumb|The [[Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge]] was the first in Britain and the largest transporter bridge in the world.]]


The United Kingdom has four transporter bridges, though [[Warrington Transporter Bridge]] is disused and the modern [[Royal Victoria Dock Bridge]], though designed with the potential to be used as a transporter bridge, has so far only been used as a high-level footbridge. The [[Newport Transporter Bridge]] was built in 1906 across the [[River Usk]] in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]]. Because the river banks are very low at the crossing point (a few miles south of the city centre) a traditional bridge would need a very long approach ramp and a ferry could not be used at low tide. The Newport Bridge was a [[Ferdinand Arnodin]] design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transporter Bridge |url=http://www.transporter-bridge.co.uk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004013637/http://www.transporter-bridge.co.uk/ |archive-date=2008-10-04 |access-date=2008-10-04}}</ref> The [[Tees Transporter Bridge|Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge]] opened in 1911 crossing the [[River Tees]].<ref name=Northern_Echo_2011/> It was featured in the 2002 series of the popular British TV show ''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]''; the programme's plot had the bridge being dismantled and re-erected in Arizona, US.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1985075.stm|title=Bridge not under threat, pet|work=BBC News|date=13 May 2002 |publisher=news.bbc.co.uk | access-date=20 January 2009}}</ref> The [[Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge]], demolished in the early 1960s, was the first of its type in Britain, and the largest ever built.

In the United States, two such bridges were built. The first was the [[Aerial Bridge]] built in [[Duluth, Minnesota]] in 1905, although the city had originally planned to build a vertical lift bridge at the site. The transporter design was used for about 25 years before the structure was reconfigured to lift a central span in 1930.

The second American transporter bridge was different from other designs and partially resembled [[gondola lift]]s used in mountainous regions. The [[Sky Ride]] was part of the 1933&ndash;34 Chicago World's Fair ("[[Century of Progress]]"). It was taken down after two years, and was the longest bridge of this type ever built at the time.

Two historic transporter bridges survive in Germany. The [[Rendsburg High Bridge|bridge]] at [[Rendsburg]], from 1913 is two bridges in one: a [[railroad]] link crosses on the top span, and the suspended ferry carries traffic on the valley floor. The [[Osten Transporter Bridge]] at Osten is four years older and was the first transporter bridge in Germany.