Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge. I iconic 19 century bridge located y Tower London Cy. I decorated g towers featuring drawbridge y visit engine rooms Tower Bridge exhibition.

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

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

R traffic

Tower Bridge still y vital crossing Thames: crossed y 40,000 people (motorists pedestrians) every y. T bridge London Inner Rg Road, ( 2007) eastern boundary London congestion charge . (Drivers incur charge y crossing bridge.)

I order maintain integrity historic structure, Cy 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 vehicle.

River traffic

T 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

T g-level walkways between towers gained unpleasant reputation haunt prostitutes pickpockets closed 1910. I 1982 y reopened p Tower Bridge Exhibition, exhibition housed bridge's towers, g-level walkways Victorian engine rooms. T walkways boast stunning views River Thames y famous London sites, serving viewing galleries 380,000 tourists visit y. T 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 bascule chambers .

2008-2012 Construction Plans

I April 2008 announced bridge undergo 'facelift' costing £4, taking years complete. T entails stripping- existing paint repainting white. E section enshrouded scaffolding prevent paint falling Thames causing pollution. Starting summer 2008, contractors quarter bridge minimise disruption, closures inevitable. T bridge remain p until winter 2010, expected closed several months. I hoped completed 25 years.