Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name. It has become an iconic symbol of London.


The bridge consist of:

• Two towers which are tied together at the upper level. 
• Two walkways are designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended section of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. 
• The vertical component of the forces in the suspended section and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers. 
• The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower. 
• The bridge’s total length is 244 metres and the longest span is 61 metres. 

The bridge’s present colour dates from 1977 when it was painted red, white and blue for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Originally it was painted a chocolate brown colour.

It was started in 1886 and took eight years with five major contractors: 

• Sir John Jackson 
• Baron Armstrong 
• Sir H.H. Bartlett 
• Sir William Arrol & Co 

They employed 432 construction workers.

The bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by: 

• The Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) 
• The Princess of Wales (Alexandra of Denmark).

Tower bridge today