Dartford Crossing, Major road crossing in Dartford, England.
Dartford Crossing is a major road crossing in Dartford, England, made up of two tunnels and a cable-stayed bridge that spans the River Thames, linking the counties of Kent and Essex. The bridge carries traffic heading north, while the two tunnels direct vehicles travelling south, ensuring a continuous flow in both directions.
The first tunnel opened in 1963 to ease traffic between the two banks of the Thames, followed by a second tunnel in 1980. The bridge was added in 1991 when traffic numbers continued to grow and an extra link became necessary.
The name refers to the nearby town, while the bridge and tunnels carry tens of thousands of commuters, lorries and travellers between the south and north banks of the Thames each day. For many drivers, this crossing forms a fixed part of their daily route, linking two counties and keeping traffic moving around London.
Driving through the tunnels takes place under dimmed lighting, while the bridge offers an open view of the river and the surrounding landscape. Road signs and automatic cameras monitor speed and driver behaviour along the entire section.
The bridge rises higher than many buildings in the area and remains visible from several kilometers away in clear weather. At the same time, the span allows large ships to pass beneath the towers, keeping river traffic moving without interruption.
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