Tower Bridge, Lift Bridge Which is An Icon of The London City

Europe / Northern Europe / United Kingdom
20 May, 2016
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Tower Bridge At Night Photo

Tower Bridge in London is one of the most famous bridges in the world and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK. The lift bridge stretching across the River Thames, connecting Soutwark (on the north) and the City of London (on the south). Tower Bridge consists of a 244 m-long bridge and two towers as high as 65 m. Both the bridge tower adjoined at the top by two runs (walkway) are side by side, as high as 44 m above the surface of the water when the river was high tide.

Tower Bridge was built in 1886 based on the design of an architect named Sir Horace Jones, and took eight years to complete. This bridge tower section has a Victorian Gothic style of architecture with a grayish color, harmony with the building from which its name is derived. The bridge was officially opened on June 30, 1894 by the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII) and his wife, Princess of Wales.

One of the most unique of Tower Bridge is the bridge is cut in the middle so as to produce the two sides. Two sides of the bridge can be raised up to 86 degrees, which allows water traffic beneath it, especially ships with tall columns, can pass. This was the initial idea underlying the design of this bridge can be lifted, as a solution for ordinary bridges impassable tall ships.

In ancient times, Tower Bridge can be lifted up to nearly 50 times per day (18,250 times / year), but currently only about 1000 times a year. Mechanisms in the removal of the bridge are done with hydraulic systems, while in appointment setting, performed through signal communication between the bridge operator and large ships that will pass. The computer system installed in 2000 to control the removal and reduction in the central part of the bridge from a distance.

Tower Bridge London Pictures

Currently, Tower Bridge, London is still a busy and vital bridge to cross the river Thames. This bridge every day crossed by more than 40,000 people, consisting of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. To maintain the power structure, the bridge manager imposes a maximum speed limit of 32 km / h and a load of 18 tonnes of vehicles across Tower Bridge. The camera system is used to measure the speed of passing vehicles, by integrating the vehicle number plate recognition system to send the bill fines to motorists who drove his vehicle over the speed limit. The sensor system also applied to measure the total weight, height under the framework, and the number of wheels of each vehicle passing by.

Apart from being one of the vital bridges in London, Tower Bridge is also one of London landmarks and icons. Therefore, the bridge is also a tourist destination for tourists. By purchasing the entrance ticket, visitors can enter and see “Tower Bridge Exhibition,” held at the two twin towers of the bridge, walkway, and the old engine room. There we can see movies, photos, and other interactive displays explaining the history of Tower Bridge. At the end of the southern part of the bridge, visitors can see the museum Tower Bridge, which is located in the old engine room. There we can see the steam engine and the original hydraulic machinery that was first used to remove the central part of the Tower Bridge.