BETWS-Y-COED “WATERLOO” BRIDGE Caernarvonshire Wales Thomas Telford 1815 SH779 557 {N53 5’ 20.9” W3 48’ 0.7” These coordinates taken a few 100 feet west of the bridge}
Carries the Holyhead Road over the Conway River. 105’ arched single span. It’s main feature is a beautifully cast face plate on the arch saying “This bridge was constructed in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo was fought” with the spandrel spaces filled with three dimensional thistles, roses, shamrocks and leeks honoring England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales which were cast by Hazeldine. It was strengthened with reinforced concrete between the ribs in 1923 and again in 1978 with a widened concrete deck cantilevered out to provide footpaths after which the original cast iron parapet fence replaced on the outer edge with a new protective fence between the road and the footpaths. The masonry abutments were strengthened as well.