Tower Bridge, Neo-Gothic bridge near Tower of London, England
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge spanning the Thames, with two tall stone towers rising above the roadway and connected by enclosed walkways. The central span can lift to allow tall vessels to pass through underneath.
The bridge opened in 1894, built to handle increasing traffic east of the existing London Bridge crossing. Its construction represented an engineering achievement that connected previously separated areas of the city.
The bridge serves as a key passage in London where locals and visitors cross daily, becoming woven into the city's identity. Its distinctive twin towers have made it recognizable worldwide and central to how people experience the river.
The bridge can be crossed on foot at street level or visitors can access the higher walkways and exhibition spaces by entering through the towers on either side. Peak times mean longer queues, so visiting earlier or later in the day often makes for a smoother experience.
The lifting mechanism switches from steam-powered hydraulics to electric-hydraulic operation in 1972, yet the bridge still raises for river traffic multiple times each week. Few visitors realize the original stone towers contain the machinery that powers these lifts.
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