Bridges over the Cailly

Cailly had been an important communication hub since the Gallo-Romans, and then only the fords allowed the crossing of the river.

The bypass of Cailly by the loop connecting the converging lanes to the village (link to the Roman road) allowed, with a detour, important for animal traction, to ensure traffic when the center of Cailly was impassable.

Two footbridges (one in the centre of the village, the other on the way to Yquebeuf near “la maison de la cave au diable”) allowed the crossing of the water as can be seen on the 1804 plan.

From 1810, a wooden bridge 2.60 m wide was built in the center by Duboc and Baville, respectively carpenter and mason in Cailly. It proved fragile and was extensively repaired in 1839.

The building of the departmental roads solved the problem once and for all by ensuring an operational crossing in all circumstances.

In 1848, a stone bridge was built. It was narrow (6m wide), the width of the street was reduced by more than two thirds, it was well above street level and above all extended on each side by walls more than a meter high which had the double disadvantage of obstructing traffic and especially hiding the ground floor of the surrounding houses. This was complained about by the City Council in its july 9 deliberation.

A series of complaints (1858, 1860, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1872), motioned for the solving of problems, (lowering of the bridge, replacing parapets with sidewalks, etc.) without gathering, however, a consensus on the financing of the work.

It was only in 1873, after the prefect's own visit, that the problem began to be solved. Two projects were proposed by the highway surveyors. For an expenditure of 15,500 francs, the successful project provided:

• sandstone curbs,

• paved gutters,

• clearing the main street,

• lowering the road and expanding the width to 13 metres.

A participation of the riverside owners by subscription and a contribution from the municipality ensured an amount of 5000 frs.

This new bridge, with a metal structure, was built in the following years. It was replaced, 140 years later, in 2019, by a reinforced concrete bridge.