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  2. Patrimoine
  3. Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
  4. Haute-Saône
  5. 70210 Selles

  6. Bridge on the East Canal at Selles

 Bridge on the East Canal at Selles en Haute-Saône

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine urbain
Pont
Haute-Saône

Bridge on the East Canal at Selles

    5 D50
    70210 Selles
Photo de Bridge on the East Canal at Selles

Timeline

XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1871
Decision to construct the East Canal
5 août 1879
Act establishing the southern branch
3 octobre 1879
Plans validated by Travelet
mars 1880
Adjudication of work
1887
Completion of the channel
1936
First restoration
années 1950
Expansion of the bridge
21 décembre 1994
Partial registration
1er février 2001
Complete classification
2009
Last restoration
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Barriers and their mechanism; the facades and roofs of the neighbouring agent's house (Case AD 248): inscription by order of 21 December 1994 - The rotating bridge with its mechanism, as well as the masonry structures of the wharf supporting it (Box AD, public domain, near Parcel 248): classification by order of 1 February 2001

Key figures

Ingénieur Travelet - Ordinary engineer of the Bridges and Chaussées Author of the bridge plans (1879).
Ingénieur en chef Pugnière - Reporting Officer Validates Travelet's plans.
Inspecteur général Frécot - Work Supervisor Approves the bridge project.
Entreprise De la Vallée Poussin & Cie - Bridge constructor Realizes the works in 1880.

Origin and history

The rotating bridge of Selles is a metal structure built during the second half of the 19th century on the eastern canal, in the village of Selles (Haute-Saône). It is part of a larger north-south river link project between the Moselle and the Saône, completed in 1887. This bridge, conforming to the Freycinet gauge, consists of a sheet deck articulated on a pivot, operated manually, and rests on foundations laid on both sides of the canal. It was initially 3.85 meters wide for 13.75 meters long, before being expanded to 6 meters in the 20th century.

Construction of the bridge is part of the southern branch of the East Canal, which began after 1871 under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Bridges and Chaussées. The engineer Travelet submitted the plans in October 1879, validated by the chief engineer Pugnière and Inspector General Frécot. The works were awarded in March 1880 to De la Vallée Poussin & Cie. The straight line of the canal requires the displacement of the Coney River bed and a partial reorganization of the village to preserve existing homes.

Ranked a historic monument in 2001, the Selles Bridge is the last mobile bridge in the canal still operated by hand. He received a first entry in 1994 for his barriers, his mechanism and the neighbouring agent's house, and then a classification for the work itself and its masonry structures. Several restorations took place, notably in 1936 (replacement of the wooden platform), in the 1950s (addition of space) and in 2009. Its original mechanism, preserved, makes it a rare testimony of 19th century river engineering.

The bridge was originally managed by an employee of the navigation service, housed in a nearby owned house. Its use met the local requirements for crossing the canal, while allowing for the movement of barges. Today, it illustrates the industrial heritage of the Haute-Saône and the role of inland waterways in the planning of the modern era.

The Act of 5 August 1879 formalizes the creation of the southern branch of the canal, divided into five sections, of which the Haute-Saône is part. The project aims to unblock the region economically by facilitating the transport of goods. The Selles Bridge, through its design and history, symbolizes this technical and political ambition.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum