Built from granite and steel, The Tyne Bridge has come to symbolise all that is best about the North-East industrial tradition. Gavin Englebrecht looks at its place in history on the 75th anniversary of its opening.

SEEN by millions around the world at the start of the Great North Run and crossed by 60,000 vehicles a day, the Tyne Bridge is an enduring monument to the region's industrial heritage.

Yesterday, amid pomp and ceremony, the 75th anniversary of the opening of the landmark was celebrated with the unveiling of two commemorative plaques.

The bridge had its genesis in the late 19th Century, when the city fathers started talking about a new Tyne bridge to ease traffic congestion and provide a majestic river crossing.

By April 1924, the plans had been passed and in August 1925 contractor Dorman Long and Co, of Middlesbrough, began work on the project.

The navigation of the river had to be maintained, so erecting the massive arch had to be carried out by means of supporting cables - until the two halves met with great ceremony on February 25, 1928.

Perched more than 80ft above the river, an army of riveters worked without the benefit of safety harnesses and ropes - their agility and ability to work at great heights was second to none.

Despite the dangers, only one worker died.

Once the arch was secured, work was carried out on the road deck, with gas, water and electricity companies given rights to install pipes.

Two large towers, faced in Cornish granite with internal passengers lifts, completed the scheme.

Several buildings had to be demolished to make way for the bridge, including pubs the Goat Inn, Earl of Durham, Ridley Arms, Steamboat Inn, Ray's lodging house and a pickle factory.

The bridge, built at a cost of £698,000, was opened by King George V on October, 10, 1928 - and was almost immediately blighted by traffic jams caused by people wishing to use this toll-free crossing.

Two narrow arches of rail viaduct on the Newcastle side had to be widened and those, in turn, were completely removed during the construction of the Swan House roundabout in the 1960s.

Local lore had it that the bridge would not last as it was build in Sandhill on one side and Snowballs (a furniture store) on the other.

In 1964, a 240-tonne test vehicle crossed the bridge without any ill effects. Regular maintenance work carried out by Newcastle City and Gateshead Borough councils and major works every 15 years have put paid to any fears.

In 1999, the road surface was removed and steel corroded by pigeon droppings repaired.

In 2000, the bridge was repainted with the recipe from the original J Dampney and Co, of Gateshead, faithfully recreated.

The replacement of standard street lighting with lamp-posts emulating the original design is nearing completion - putting the finishing touches to a monument that will continue to be held in affection by Geordies and visitors alike.