Jubilee Bridge (India)

The Jubilee Bridge is noteworthy in that it is a [[cantilever truss]] bridge, constructed entirely by riveting, without any nuts or bolts used in the construction.

The Jubilee Bridge is noteworthy in that it is a [[cantilever truss]] bridge, constructed entirely by riveting, without any nuts or bolts used in the construction.

== Structure ==

== Replacement and retirement ==

The Jubilee Bridge was decommissioned from service on 17 April 2016, the last train to pass through it being 13141/[[Teesta Torsha Express]]. At the same time rail traffic was diverted through [[Sampreeti Bridge]], the new bridge between [[Bandel]] and [[Naihati]] sections of the Eastern Railway, that has been constructed beside the Jubilee Bridge.

Jubilee Bridge was a 366 m‑long, three‑span steel cantilever truss bridge that carried the [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]-[[Bandel]] railway across the [[Hooghly River]] between [[Naihati]] and Bandel. It was opened on 16 February 1885 after construction from 1882 to 1887. It comprised two 128.10 m side spans and a 109.95 m central cantilever span, all fabricated from Hawks Crawshay and James Goodwin steel and assembled entirely by riveting without nuts or bolts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jubilee Bridge (India) (Naihati/Bandel, 1886) |url=https://structurae.net/en/structures/jubilee-bridge-india |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Structurae |language=en}}</ref> The superstructure rested on iron‑caisson piers, each sunk 30 m below high‑water level and filled with brick and mortar, while brick‑masonry abutments tied to partly steel piers provided riverbank support.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-19 |title=Jubilee Bridge |url=https://imambarahhooghlycommitteeofmanagement.com/jubilee-bridge/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Hooghly Imambarah}}</ref> Unique cast‑iron pendulum bearings accommodated thermal expansion and dynamic loads, and an elevated deck profile kept the 11 m clearance above the highest flood levels, ensuring uninterrupted navigation and flood resilience throughout its 129 years of service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mookerjee |first=Sanjoy |date=2020-12-07 |title=JUBILEE BRIDGE - SAMPREETI SETU, Engineering Masterpieces of the Indian Railways' |url=https://www.railenthusiastindia.org.in/jubilee-bridge-sampreeti-setu-engineering-masterpieces-indian-railways |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=The Rail Enthusiasts' Society |language=en}}</ref>

Jubilee Bridge served the people for 129 years, and several generations used the service to cross the River Hooghly. The bridge has the distinction of being the first permanent crossing over the Hooghly, which had been considered unbridgeable owing to difficult foundation conditions at that time.

== Replacement and retirement ==

The new bridge, [[Sampreeti Bridge]], was inaugurated in 2016 after work started in around 2004. It is the first [[continuous truss bridge]] in India.

[[File:Sampreeti Bridge 01.jpg|thumb|Jubilee Bridge with [[Sampreeti Bridge]] in the background]]

[[File:Sampreeti Bridge 01.jpg|thumb|Jubilee Bridge with [[Sampreeti Bridge]] in the background]]

The Jubilee Bridge was decommissioned from service on 17 April 2016, the last train to pass through it being 13141/[[Teesta Torsha Express]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Rail Enthusiast |date=May 2020 |publisher=Rail Enthusiast India |year=2020 |edition=2nd |volume=5 |pages=40}}</ref> At the same time rail traffic was diverted through [[Sampreeti Bridge]], the new bridge between [[Bandel]] and [[Naihati]] sections of the [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]], that has been constructed beside the Jubilee Bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Jubilee Bridge in Kolkata |url=https://www.mageba-group.com/ru/en/1023/Asia/India/45117/New-Jubilee-Bridge-Kolkata.htm |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=www.mageba-group.com |language=en-ru}}</ref>

Jubilee Bridge served the people for 129 years, and several generations used the service to cross the River Hooghly. The bridge has the distinction of being the first permanent crossing over the Hooghly, which had been considered unbridgeable owing to difficult foundation conditions at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-17 |title=2016: A Longtime Bridge in India is Closed |url=https://transportationhistory.org/2020/04/17/2016-a-longtime-bridge-in-india-is-closed/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Transportation History |language=en}}</ref> The new bridge, [[Sampreeti Bridge]], was inaugurated in 2016 after work started in around 2004. It is the first [[continuous truss bridge]] in India.<ref>{{cite news|title= সেতু দেখে মনে পড়ল ছেলেবেলা| url= http://www.anandabazar.com/district/2.917/it-bring-back-some-good-old-memories-states-babul-supriyo-after-seeing-jubilee-bridge-1.475536| accessdate = 2 Jan 2017 |language=bengali|newspaper = The Daily Anandabazar}}</ref>

==References==

==References==