Birchenough Bridge Is Safe: Government Debunks Viral Picture Claiming To Show Crack
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has moved to quell concerns over the safety of Birchenough Bridge following a picture circulating on social media.
The image, which shows an apparent crack on a steel bridge connection, was shared online with claims that it depicted the historic bridge over the Save River.
However, the Ministry says the structure in the picture is not Birchenough Bridge.
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Ministry Rejects Viral Bridge Claims
In a statement issued on Friday, 14 August 2026, the Ministry said it was aware of the circulating image.
Officials said members of the public had incorrectly identified the structure shown as Birchenough Bridge.
The Ministry urged motorists and other travellers not to rely on unverified social media posts for information about the condition of major infrastructure.
It also assured the public that Birchenough Bridge remains safe for use under its existing operating controls.
Bridge Designs Are Completely Different
The Ministry explained that the structure in the photograph differs significantly from Birchenough Bridge.
Birchenough Bridge is a steel arch suspension bridge with a distinct load-bearing system.
Its road deck is supported by longitudinal steel members called stringers.
These stringers rest on transverse cross beams that span the width of the bridge.
Vertical hangers connect the cross beams to the steel arches above the river.
The arches then transfer the weight towards the bridge’s abutments on both riverbanks.
The design does not require piers standing in the river.
By contrast, the structure shown in the viral image is a riveted steel truss bridge.
Its steel components are connected using riveted gusset plates and operate under a different structural system.
Steelwork Provides Another Clue
The Ministry also pointed to differences in the arrangement of the steelwork.
Officials said the connection shown in the photograph consists of steel members joined with riveted gusset plates.
That configuration does not match the steel arrangement found on Birchenough Bridge.
The Ministry said the differences provide further evidence that the photograph was taken at another bridge.
Footwalks Also Do Not Match
The pedestrian walkways provide another distinction between the two structures.
According to the Ministry, Birchenough Bridge has footways on both sides of the road carriageway.
The walkways are made using specially selected rust-resistant steel designed to withstand long-term exposure.
Officials said the footwalk and surrounding steelwork visible in the circulating photograph do not correspond with Birchenough Bridge.
Regular Inspections Continue
The Ministry said Birchenough Bridge is subject to regular professional inspections.
A dedicated technical team monitors the bridge’s structural condition and assesses whether any maintenance work is required.
The inspections form part of the Ministry’s routine bridge-management programme.
Officials said any maintenance identified during the assessments is addressed accordingly.
The bridge continues to operate within its established load limits and other safety restrictions.
Public Urged To Verify Information
The Ministry reiterated that protecting road users remains its top priority.
It said Birchenough Bridge remains fit for use under its current controls and is being kept under continuous professional oversight.
Members of the public have been urged to disregard claims linking the viral photograph to Birchenough Bridge.
The Ministry also encouraged travellers to obtain infrastructure updates through official government communication channels rather than relying on unverified social media posts.
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