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The bridge, built between 1772 and 1790 by John Randall, had originally a width of {{convert|27|ft}}, which accommodated a single roadway and two pavements. Although the bridge was opened to traffic by the end of 1778, a new scheme for the balustrade and the completion of the south western corner were not finished until 1782 and 1790 respectively.<ref>Jaine, T.W.M. (1971). [http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1971/jaine.pdf ''The building of Magdalen Bridge, 1772–1790''], [http://www.oahs.org.uk/oxof.php Oxoniensia] xxxvi, p.70.</ref>
Gwynn's original design included a
Despite opposition from [[University of Oxford|University]] members, the bridge was widened in 1882 to accommodate a four-foot gauge track for the tramway.<ref>Skinner, Annie (2005). [http://books.google.com/books?id=PERizR8zleIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Cowley+Road.+A+history&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false ''Cowley Road. A history''], Signal Books, p.61. ISBN 1-904955-10-X.</ref> The 18th-century bridge was widened by {{convert|20|ft}} on the south side, but design was retained.
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[[File:Magdalen bridge.jpg|thumb|right|[[Punt (boat)|Punting]] at Magdalen Bridge.]]
The bridge is the scene of large crowds every 1 May early in the morning for the traditional [[May Morning]] celebrations in [[Oxford]]. There has been a recent tradition of students to jump off the bridge, despite the danger of injury due to low water levels in the Cherwell. In some years many jumpers have been injured and, in order to avoid this, the bridge is now routinely closed on May Morning.<ref>{{cite web | title = Five in hospital over bridge jump | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/4503027.stm| publisher = [[BBC]] | date = 2005-05-02 | accessdate = 2009-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = May Day bridge closure defended | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8008768.stm | publisher = [[BBC]] | date = 2009-04-21 | accessdate = 2009-04-21}}</ref>
==Gallery==
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==References==
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