Tower Bridge
was built between 1886-1894 based on the plans of Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry and is a combined bascule and suspension bridge. The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in length with two towers each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers and cost £1,184,000 (around 100 million pounds in 2011). When it was built, Tower Bridge was the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge ever completed.
Hydraulic system
The original raising mechanism was powered by pressurised water stored in six hydraulic accumulators, the accumulators fed the drive engines that lifted the bascules up and down.
High Level walkways
These walkways were designed to allow pedestrians to cross whilst the bridge was raised, however, due to lack of use they were closed in 1910. In 1982 these walkways were re-opened to the public having been enclosed to protect visitors from the weather but still allowing them great panoramic views.
Tower Bridge at Night
Trivia
Tower Bridge is often confused with London Bridge, in the 1960's London Bridge was sold to Robert Paxton McCullochan an American who shipped back to Arizona brick by brick. It was rumoured that McCullochan had bought London Bridge thinking it was Tower Bridge he had purchased, however, these rumours are denied by all the parties involved.(would have been amusing if true).
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