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Fig.1
Tower Bridge - Bridge in London that crosses the Thames near the Tower of London, from which it takes its name.
Tower Bridge crosses the River Thames at the east end of London. From the beginning of its existence, it was considered a masterpiece of contemporary engineering. It was compared with the famous Eiffel Tower, built five years earlier. A huge, weighing more than 2,000 tons, steam driven bridge mechanism regulated the opening of its central part. It allowed the passage of tall ships. The old bridge mechanism is not used, it has been replaced with an electrical device.
Tower Bridge- Where is it located?
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Tower Bridge crosses the River Thames at the east end of London. From the beginning of its existence, it was considered a masterpiece of contemporary engineering. It was compared with the famous Eiffel Tower, built five years earlier. A huge, weighing more than 2,000 tons, steam driven bridge mechanism regulated the opening of its central part. It allowed the passage of tall ships. The old bridge mechanism is not used, it has been replaced with an electrical device.
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Did you know?
-The Tower Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in London, built in Victorian style. Its history began in 1872, when the English parliament considered a bill concerning the construction of a second bridge over the Thames. Despite objections raised by the management of the Tower of London castle, the act was passed. However, a condition was set that was met; the style of the bridge was to harmonize with the style of the castle. Its architect was Horace Jones, who used a structure that was fashionable at the time: a steel skeleton covered with stone in the Neo-Gothic style. The bridge was completed in 1894. It is a drawbridge, allowing the passage of ocean-going vessels up to about 40.5 m high above the water level.
-A characteristic element of the bridge are two main towers, connected at the top by two platforms - footbridges - suspended 34 m above the road and over 44 m above the upper level mark in the river. The central part of the bridge consists of two raised spans - lifting devices with a counterweight. They are two giant wings, each weighing 1,200 tons, raised upwards, forming an angle of 86 degrees with the road surface. Originally, the bridge had beige colors. On the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (1977), it was repainted in blue, white and red. The current color of the bridge (white and blue) has been in existence since 2010.
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-A characteristic element of the bridge are two main towers, connected at the top by two platforms - footbridges - suspended 34 m above the road and over 44 m above the upper level mark in the river. The central part of the bridge consists of two raised spans - lifting devices with a counterweight. They are two giant wings, each weighing 1,200 tons, raised upwards, forming an angle of 86 degrees with the road surface. Originally, the bridge had beige colors. On the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (1977), it was repainted in blue, white and red. The current color of the bridge (white and blue) has been in existence since 2010.
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To find out more about the Tower Bridge click here
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