The numerous commercial trading vessels, which come up the Seine, were
formerly obliged to wait several days, before they could get along side
the quay to discharge. It became essential to enlarge the port, for
which reason the stone bridge, at the entrance to the town, was built;
but this arrangement rendered another bridge indispensable; and in 1828,
the town council consulted on the possibility of removing the bridge of
boats farther down; but the bad state it was in, and the enormous sum it
cost to keep it in repair, and the length of time it took to open it for
the passage of vessels, at once caused them to give up all idea of this
old machine, formerly looked upon us a wonder; but, which did not now
answer the purpose.
On the 8th of june 1834, a royal ordinance was issued, approving the
undertaking. At last MM. Seguin brothers, civil engineers, and Pierre
Colin, undertaker of public works, were, on the 16th october 1834,
declared the approved contractors for the erection of the bridge; at the
same time granting to them the receipts of the tolls for a period of 99
years, the bridge to be terminated at the latest, by the 1st of january
1837. And it was entirely completed by the 1st september 1836 (the very
day the bridge of boats was suppressed). At the expiration of the 99
years, the bridge will become the property of the government. Its
breadth is seven metres thirty centimetres, its length 197 metres, and
the whole expense has amounted to 750,000 fr. On the left of the bridge
is situated a guard house, and on the right Brune's house, erected by
the city as a reward for courage and devotedness on many occasions.