Bridge over Great Ducie Street, Manchester, Salford Junction Railway

The history of Victoria Station, Manchester, and its immediate environs remains confused and it remains uncertain whether George and Robert Stevenson had any direct involvement in this new inter-connecting line between the Liverpool and Manchester and the Manchester and Leeds Railways through Salford. This opened in May 1844. Based on reports in the contemporary press the bridges across the River Irwell and Great Ducie Street, Manchester, were constructed to the designs of John Fraser, resident engineer for the Manchester and Liverpool Railway:

By the arrangement ultimately made between the several railway companies interested in the proposed line on the north side of Manchester, to connect the Liverpool to Manchester Railway, and Manchester and Bolton Line, with the Manchester and Leeds Railway, at the joint station at Hunt’s Bank, it was agreed that the Leeds Railway company should continue their line to Hunt’s Bank and erect a joint station there; and that the Liverpool Railway Company should continue the work from the point where the junction line crosses the Irwell, from Strangeways to Salford, and thence to the point where the junction line enters the Liverpool Railway, with the exception of a viaduct carried along Booth Street, at the back of the New Bailey prison, adjoining and parallel to the Manchester and Bolton Railway, at its Manchester terminus and station, the erection of which was undertaken by the Manchester and Bolton Railway Company for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. For various reasons, it was deemed desirable to carry the viaduct on an iron colonnade, in preference to the more usual mode of arches of brick or stone. The design, both as to construction and architectural form was entrusted to Mr John Hawkshaw, the able engineer of the Manchester and Bolton Railway; and the massive solidarity of the structure, which is now fast approaching completion, combined with its architectural fitness and elegance, reflect the highest credit upon the talent and taste of that gentleman. [Manchester Guardian 25 March 1843 page 6]

The engineer, James Fraser, was articled to Mr. G. W. Buck, M. Inst. C.E.; and in 1842, on the completion of his pupilage, was appointed by Mr. Edward Woods, V.P., Inst. C.E., to take charge, as resident engineer, of the construction of the Salford Junction Railways, the Act for which was obtained by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, for the purpose of effecting a connection with the Leeds and Manchester Railway ; and under his immediate direction all the designs for the viaducts and bridges, including the cast-iron arched bridge over the River Irwell, were prepared. [Institution of Civil Engineers 1882 page 417-419]

RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER HUNTS BANK – This bridge is now nearly completed. On Saturday afternoon all the framework of timber, which supported the immense iron ribs forming the arch was removed; so that the fine graceful sweep of the arch, spanning the wide carriageway and footpaths of the street, was for the first time exposed to view. This bridge has been completed without a single hour’s stoppage of the thoroughfare, and, so far as we are aware, without a single serious accident. Though it appears low, from its great span, which is about 83 feet, its centre is 23 feet above the crown of the carriageway, and even the springing of the arch is really at a considerable height above the footpaths. [Manchester Guardian 27 December 1843 page2]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 March 1843 page 6
Reference    Manchester Guardian 27 December 1843 page2
Obituary      Institution of Civil Engineers 1882 page 417-419