I learned about bridges in my science class last year. Most bridges fall into 3 categories: beam, arch, and suspension. London has a lot of bridges from a long time ago and some that are new from the year 2000!
It was amazing to actually go on the most famous bridge in London. Guess which bridge I am talking about?
Surprisingly, this bridge is called the Tower bridge not the London bridge. Everyone thinks this is the London Bridge – but it was built later than the original London Bridge which has lots of great history.
What I really liked about the Tower Bridge was that it looks modern because it was painted red, blue and white in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Before then, the bridge was painted chocolate brown.
The Tower Bridge is a combination of a suspension bridge and a double leaf bascule bridge which is a bridge that opens up in the middle (Drawbridge). We were there in time to see the bridge open and close so a big ship could go through. Here is a video that we took!
What I also thought was interesting was that while you were walking across the top, they have some exhibitions about the bridge such as the History and Building of the Tower Bridge, the Sixties and Bridges around the World.
We climbed all the way to the top of the tower and I counted all the stairs – there were 206!
Although this bridge is beautiful there is a reason for it being built. London was desperate for another bridge because 170,000 people crossed the London bridge everyday! In 1876, the City of London Corporation decided to make a competition to create a bridge that people could cross along with London bridge. In 1884 John Barry gave them the winning design for the bridge. The bridge was ready to open in 1894.
Today, over 40 thousand cars and trucks cross the Tower Bridge everyday!
I wonder if I will build a bridge as great as The Tower Bridge when I become an Engineer?
Comments
12 responses to “The Greatest Bridge in London”
Wow – very informative Zoe! I just watched a documentary about Tower Bridge on Netflix!
HI,
That is so cool! What is the program called? Maybe we can watch it too!
I enjoyed reading all about Tower Bridge Zoe. Great that you were able to take your video too so that we can see it “in action”. I saw it when it was painted red, white and blue in 1977.
Enjoy your day!
Love Teta Doreen
Hi!
It was really neat to see the huge ship go in between the two towers and see the bridge open and close.
Hi, Zoe, loved your post and your video when the bridge was in operation, that was a real treat.
Hi,
Thank you for the comment! It was so cool to actually see the bridge in action!
Wow! Thank you Zoe for the great pictures.
It looks like they had some very smart engineers even in the Old days
Hi!
I really liked your comment! When I am an engineer maybe I will build a bridge like that!
Hi Zoe,
This was a very informative blog and I really enjoyed your video!
Love Baba
Hi!
Thanks for commenting! I am glad you enjoyed my post!
I am sure you will Zoe. Back here they have taken down the Whitevale bridge, seem to be a lack of clear direction to rebuild it….they have run generators 24/7 to keep pumping the hole in the middle of the creek where the footing they also removed was (yes, it is a hopeless as it sounds)….hopefully they figure this bridge out before you graduate!!!!
Hi!
Thanks for the comment! When I graduate from Oxford University as an engineer my first project will be rebuilding the Whitevale bridge!