The UK ’s Iron Bridge is more than just a pretty landmark . build in 1779 , it was the world ’s first metalbridge , a major milestone in technology history . Like many aging pieces of infrastructure , though , it ’s in dire need of repair — and the fund to prop up it up are fall from an unexpected station . According toThe Times , a German foundation has wassail to pay for the preservation project as a way to improve relation between England and Germany in the wake of Brexit .
found in Hamburg , theHermann Reemtsma Foundationnormally funds ethnic projects in Germany , but decided to work with the UK ’s charitable trust English Heritage to save the Industrial Revolution turning point as a way to reward the ethnical bond between the two countries . The foundation has pledge more than $ 1.16 million to the bridge ’s renovation sweat , which will cost an gauge $ 4.7 million in total . Now , the UK charity only has toraise another $ 32,800to fully fund the workplace .
The Iron Bridge was frame and build by Abraham Darby III , whose grandfather became the first mass - producer of cast branding iron in the UK in the other 1700s , kickstarting England ’s Industrial Revolution . It was the world ’s first cast iron , single - span prankish bridgework , weighing more than 400 tons . In 1934 , it was declared a historical repository and closed to dealings , and the Ironbridge Gorge was advert aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site in 1986 .
“ The Iron Bridge is one of the most crucial — if not the most important — bridges ever build , ” English Heritage CEO Kate Mavor tell the printing press .
The proficiency used to erect the Iron Bridge were later adopt throughout Europe , include in Germany , leading the Hermann Reemtsma Foundation tocall it“a potent admonisher of our continent ’s common cultural roots and values . ”
Thealready - underwayrepair project includes replacing elements of the bridge , cleaning and repairing others , and paint the integral structure . Since it sits above a fast - flowing river where erecting staging is unmanageable , the project is especially complex . It ’s schedule to be complete in 2018 .
[ h / tThe Times ]
