Millennium Bridge (Newcastle – Gateshead)
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge in England is the first bridge that can be rotated about its longitudinal axis through its pivot points to allow ships to pass under the bridge. Technically it is a tipping bridge and allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river Tyne comfortably at almost ground level. The bridge connects the neighboring city of Newcastle with The Sage Gateshead concert hall and The Baltic Museum , both of which are located in Gateshead .
The building was planned by the civil engineers Gifford and Partners from Southampton together with the architectural office WilkinsonEyre Architects from London.
The bridge consists of a horizontal arch, called a deck, which is used to cross the river. A second arch, which protrudes upwards in the starting position, is connected to the deck by ropes for stabilization. This construct can be tilted upwards (up to 45 °) by eight motors (a total of 433 kW) along the line connecting the two support points, so that ships can pass below the bridge. Since the bridge is reminiscent of a blinking eye, it is nicknamed "Blinking Eye". The Millennium Bridge, like some other bridges in Great Britain, is depicted on the reverse of a one- pound coin.
The bridge was opened to the public on September 17, 2001. In 2003 the bridge received the Institution of Structural Engineers' Supreme Award . In 2004 the structure and its architects and engineers received the Outstanding Structure Award from IABSE .
The bridge is illuminated in color at night.
Technical specifications
- Construction cost: £ 22 million
- Weight: 850 tons
- Height: approx. 50 m
- Span: 126 m
- Time to open the bridge: 4½ minutes
Web links
- Peter Curran: Gateshead Millennium Bridge . In: Tec 21 . Volume 130, No. 8, 2004, pages 6–9
- Gateshead Bridge official website
- Gateshead Bridge Webcams
- Wilkinson Eyre the architects of the bridge
Coordinates: 54 ° 58 ′ 10.9 " N , 1 ° 35 ′ 59.8" W.