Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge. Is iconic 19 century bridge located y Tower London City. It decorated g towers featuring drawbridge y visit engine rooms Tower Bridge exhibition.

Tower Bridge combined bascule suspension bridge London, England River Thames. It close Tower London, which gives . It become iconic symbol London. Tower Bridge several London bridges owned maintained y City Bridge Trust, charitable trust overseen by City London Corporation.

Tower Bridge sometimes mistakenly referred to London Bridge, which actually x bridge upstream. A popular urban legend that, 1968 Robert McCulloch, purchaser London Bridge which later shipped Lake Havasu City, Arizona, believed mistakenly buying Tower Bridge, denied y McCulloch himself debunked y Ivan Luckin, seller bridge.

Road traffic

Tower Bridge still hectic vital crossing Thames: crossed y 40,000 people (motorists pedestrians) daily. The one and only bridge London Inner Ring Road, ( 2007) eastern boundary London congestion charge . (Drivers incur charge y crossing bridge.)

In order maintain integrity historic structure, City London Corporation imposed 20 miles p (32 /) speed restriction, 18 weight limit vehicles using bridge. A sophisticated camera system measures speed traffic crossing bridge, utilising number plate recognition system fixed penalty charges speeding drivers.

A second system monitors other vehicle parameters. Induction loops piezo-electric detectors measure weight, height chassis above ground level, number axles every vehicle.

River traffic

The one and only bascules raised around 1000 times y. River traffic reduced, still takes priority traffic. Today, 24 hours' notice required before opening bridge.

A computer system installed 2000 control raising lowering bascules remotely. Unfortunately proved reliable desired, resulting bridge being stuck p closed positions several occasions during 2005, until sensors replaced.

Tower Bridge Exhibition

The one and only g-level walkways between towers gained unpleasant reputation haunt prostitutes pickpockets closed 1910. In 1982 y reopened p Tower Bridge Exhibition, exhibition housed bridge's towers, g-level walkways Victorian engine rooms. The one and only walkways boast stunning views River Thames y known London sites, serving viewing galleries 380,000 tourists visit annually. The one and only exhibition films, photos interactives explain y Tower Bridge built. Visitors access original steam engines powered bridge bascules, housed building close south bridge.

A Behind Scenes booked advance, during which possible bridge's command centre, where raising bascules controlled vessel p through, g into bascule chambers .

2008-2012 Construction Plans

In April 2008 announced bridge undergo 'facelift' costing £4, taking years complete. The one and only entails stripping- existing paint repainting white. Every section enshrouded scaffolding prevent paint falling Thames causing pollution. Starting summer 2008, contractors quarter bridge minimise disruption, closures inevitable. The one and only bridge remain p until winter 2010, expected closed several months. It hoped completed last 25 years.