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This is a view of Menai ( pronounced Men eye) bridge connecting the Isle of Anglesey to the main land of Wales. This was the first iron suspension bridge of its kind in the world, and was probably Telford`s most acclaimed achievement, yet it is only fair to say he would have received a lot of assistance from William Alexander Provis, who was the resident engineer. This was a massive improvement, not only for the people travelling to Ireland, but also to the locals, who for the first time could cross to and from the mainland without fear of perishing in the dangerous waters of the Menai Straits. To allow for the height of ships passing under the bridge, the criteria was that the bridge should have at least 100 foot of clearance from the span to the water. Building began with the stone pillars, the stone for which was quarried from Penmon quarry. Then the enormous task of lifting the 16 chains that would span the bridge started, these would be the main supports. In order to lift the central section of chain � weighing 23 and a half tons � it took 150 men using block and tackle. A large gathered crowd clapped thunderously as the connection was successfully made. The road surface of the bridge covers a distance of circa 579 foot.