The Tower Bridge

THE TOWER BRIGE

• built in 1886–1894
• crosses the River Thames
• in 1977 it was painted red white and blue for Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee
• orignal colour was mid greenish-blue

Bridge Structure

• Length is 800 feet (244m)
• Each tower is 213 feet (65m) high
• Pedestrian walkways are 143 feet (44m) above the river

Bridge construction

• Started in 1887 and took 8 years
• Five major contractores: Sir John Jackson (foundations), Baron Armstrong (hydraulics), William Webster, Sir H.H. Bartlett and Sir William Arrol

Opening of Bridge

• Opened on 30 June in 1894
• Tunnel was closed in 1898

Incidents

• On 11 May 2009
• Six poeple were trapped in a lift

• In December 1952
• Number 78 double decker bus
• Driver Albert Gunter
• Clearing a 3 feet (0.91m) gap to drop 6 feet (1.8m)
• Gunter was given 10 pounds (equivalent to 260 pounds in 2015 )