Holborn Viaduct is a road bridge in London and the name of the street which crosses it which forms part of the A40 route. It links Holborn, via Holborn Circus, with Newgate Street, in the City of London financial district, passing over Farringdon Street and the subterranean River Fleet. The viaduct spans the steep-sided Holborn Hill and the River Fleet valley at a length of 1,400 feet 430 m and 80 feet 24 m wide. City surveyor William Haywood was the architect and the engineer was Rowland Mason Ordish.It was built between 1863 and 1869, as a part of the Holborn Valley Improvements, which included a public works scheme. Pedestrian access between the two street levels was effected via four pavilions, at each side and either end, containing staircases for access from the viaduct to Farringdon Street below; with their parapets adorned with figurative statues to represent commerce and agriculture on the south side, both by sculptor Henry Bursill, with science and fine art on the north side, by the sculpture firm Farmer & Brindley
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