Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a bridge with an innovative design in Gateshead, England that spans the Tyne River. It is made up of a pair of steel arches. In 1996, a contest was announced to design a bridge with some unique design.
It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and engineers, Gifford and Partners and built by Harbour and General. This bridge was mainly built for cyclists and it connects two cross country riverside cycle ways. They are also a part of a national network.
Quick Facts: –
- The total construction cost of Gateshead Millennium Bridge was approximately £22 million.
- The bridge has concrete foundations that stretch about 30 meters and anchor it to the river bed.
- A total of 19,000 tonnes of concrete was used in this bridge’s construction.
- The total weight is more than 850 tonnes.
- Every time when this bridge opens or closes, the process takes about four and a half minutes.
- It has a tilting mechanism. It is powered by 8 electric motors.
- Total length of this bridge is 126 meters and the main span is 105 meters long. Its width is 8 meters.
- It is also known by another name “Baltic Millennium Bridge” as it is adjacent to an area called Baltic Square.
- The construction started in 1998 and it was completed in 2001. It was opened to the public on September 17, 2001.
- This bridge can withstand a collision from a 4,000 tonne ship travelling at four knots.
