Gateshead Millennium Bridge

The bridge when tilted, seen from the Gateshead side

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist tilt bridge spanning the River Tyne between Gateshead's Quays arts quarter on the south bank in County Durham, and the Quayside of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank in Northumberland. It opened for public use in 2001

The innovative design won awards for its designer, the architect Wilkinson Eyre and structural engineer Gifford. It is quite distinctive in its design due to its shape and its tilting method. In terms of height, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is slightly shorter than the neighbouring Tyne Bridge, and stands as the sixteenth tallest structure in the city.

Design

The bridge was lifted into place in one piece by the Asian Hercules II, one of the world's largest floating cranes, on 20 November 2000. It was opened to the public on 17 September 2001, and was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II on 7 May 2002. The bridge cost £22 million to build, and was built by Volker Stevin.

Six 18-inch diameter hydraulic rams (three on each side, each powered by a 55 kW electric motor) rotate the bridge back on large bearings to allow small ships and boats (up to 82.0 feet tall) to pass underneath. The bridge takes as little as 4.5 minutes to rotate through the full 40° from closed to open, depending on wind speed. Its appearance during this manoeuvre has led to it being nicknamed the "Blinking Eye Bridge".

The bridge has operated reliably since construction, opening to allow river traffic to pass. It also opens periodically for sightseers and for major events such as the Northumbrian Water University Boat Race and the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race. One of the principal requirements for opening the bridge is to allow access to HMS Calliope where Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Example is based.

The construction of the bridge won the architects Wilkinson Eyre the 2002 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize. and won Gifford the 2003 IStructE Supreme Award.

In 2005, the bridge received the Outstanding Structure Award from International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).

Bollards, known as the Vessel Collision Protection System, were installed when the bridge was built to protect it from collisions. However, the bollards became unsightly, and it became noted that they were not really needed. They were removed in March 2012.

Tilt times for the bridge are displayed both on the bridge itself, and also on a page on the Gateshead Council – The Millennium Bridge

Pictures

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  View along the bridge from the Gateshead side

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  The bridge at night

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  Gateshead Millennium Bridge when cars had been put in the River Tyne as part of Artwork

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  A close-up of the Pivots as the bridge opens.

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  Gateshead quayside across the River Tyne at night

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  View of the bridge by night from the Newcastle side

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  View of the bridge by day from the Newcastle side

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  A view taken from on the Millennium bridge itself, looking west (upriver) at dusk, showing the coloured lighting

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  A night view of Millennium bridge, photo taken from the northern embankment looking west

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  A night view taken from on the Millennium bridge, looking west

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Gateshead Millennium Bridge)

• Map: NZ256639
• Location map: 54°58’11"N, 1°36’0"W
• Gateshead Council: The Gateshead Millennium Bridge
• Gateshead Millennium Bridge by Sándor Kabai, The Wolfram Demonstrations Project
• Gateshead Millennium Bridge - YouTube

References

Bridges and crossings on the River Tyne
High Level Bridge	Swing Bridge	Tyne Bridge	Gateshead Millennium Bridge	Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel	Tyne Road Tunnels	Shields Ferry