21 September 2019

Iceland Bridges: 1. Former road bridge over Skjálfandafljót at Fosshóll


I visited Iceland earlier this year, and stopped briefly at a few bridges while there.

This first structure was previously a highway bridge spanning the River Skjálfandafljót. It carried Iceland's main ring road (Route 1) until a new bridge was built in 1972. The older bridge has been retained today as a pedestrian bridge.

The steel truss bridge was built in 1930, and replaced a previous wooden bridge dating from 1882-83. You can see the remains of the older bridge in the photos.

The bridge was refurbished between 1999 and 2000.

This must be one of the most-seen footbridges in Iceland, not because it is of any great interest itself, but because it is just downstream of the spectacular waterfall, Goðafoss. It provides a pedestrian link between car parking areas on each side of the river.


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