Overview of Queen's Bridge

The Queen's Bridge links the centre of Perth with the left bank of the River Tay, extending South Street to Dundee Road. It lies midway between Smeaton's Bridge to the north and the railway viaduct to the south. Opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 10th October 1960, it cost £150,000 and was constructed by Whatlings Ltd., in conjunction with consulting engineers F.A. MacDonald and Partners. It is said to be the first long-span pre-stressed concrete structure in Scotland (Paxton and Shipway, 2007) and extends to 75m (246 feet).

The easternmost pier is a survivor of its predecessor, the Victoria Bridge, which was built between 1899 and 1902 but considered unsafe by the 1950s. To keep the crossing open during construction, the steel framework of the old bridge was jacked up by 1.8m (6 feet) and the new bridge built beneath. The original Victoria Bridge had proved controversial, at least with John Rollo - the gentleman who owned Rodney Lodge, a fine villa dating from 1800 that stood in its path. After prolonged litigation, the bridge was constructed and limited compensation offered, but Rollo left the gables of his demolished house - one on either side of the bridge - as his protest and they remained standing for many years.