DO YOU remember…….when Glasgow got its Squinty Bridge?
The Clyde Arc, to give it its proper name, recently made the list of ‘most Instagrammable views in Scotland.’
It came fifth, with the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books, topping the poll by the popular app.
The bridge has had an interesting history since it first opened in 2006, connecting Finnieston and Govan, and becoming the first city centre traffic crossing over the Clyde since the Kingston Bridge in 1970.
Costing around £20m, it has a total span of around 140m, and has been designed to cope with a future light transport system such as a tram.
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It was officially opened on September 18, 2006 by then Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell, who led a procession of vintage vehicles. A small protest by people complaining about parking charges disrupted the opening speeches.
People had been allowed to walk across the new bridge during the previous two days as part of Glasgow's annual Doors Open Weekend. One of the first to cross was David Buchanan, 73, from Bishopbriggs, with his dog Elidgh.
In the days following the opening, a Glasgow City Council planner called Ron Smith found a 1929 map that showed the old Glasgow Corporation had plans to create a masterpiece bridge at almost exactly the same spot more than 70 years before.
It was drawn by Thomas Somers, the master of works and city engineer for the corporation, but why it never materialised remains a mystery.
In 2008, the Clyde Arc had to close when a forged steel component connecting a metal upright support to the arch failed, and another was discovered to have cracked.
It was shut from January until June that year as engineers worked to repair the damage and replace all 28 connectors.
The Squinty Bridge carries around 10,000 vehicles a day.
In 2017, all 22 names of those killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack, including Barra schoolgirl Eilidh MacLeod, 14, were displayed on the railings in tribute to the victims, along with signs that read “with Manchester” and “respect life”.
In 2015, hundreds of crosses with the names of soldiers killed in action were tied to the bridge.
The Squinty Bridge should not be confused with the Squiggly Bridge, a pedestrian river crossing at Tradeston.
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Do you remember the opening of the Squinty Bridge? Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories and photos. Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.
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