Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist tilt bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Gateshead's Quays arts quarter on the south bank, and the Quayside of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank. The bridge is sometimes referred to as the 'Blinking Eye Bridge' or the 'Winking Eye Bridge' 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.

The bridge, which cost £22m to build, was part funded by the Millennium Commission and European Regional Development Fund. 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.

Official name: Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Carries: Pedestrians, Cyclists

Crosses: River Tyne

Locale: Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Design: Tilt bridge

Total length: 126 m (413 ft)

Width: 8 m (26 ft)

Longest span: 105 m (344 ft)

Opened: 17 September 2001 (public), 7 May 2002 (official)

Photo Gallery of Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England

 (Source: en.wikipedia.org)

Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge), Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The Erasmusbrug ("Erasmus Bridge") is a cable-stayed bridge across the Nieuwe Maas (English: New Meuse) river, linking the northern and southern halves of the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The 802-metre-long (2,631 ft) bridge has a 139-metre-high (456 ft) asymmetrical pylon, earning the bridge its nickname of "The Swan".

The southern span of the bridge has an 89-metre-long (292 ft) bascule bridge for ships that cannot pass under the bridge. Shortly after the bridge opened to traffic in October 1996, it was discovered the bridge would swing under particularly strong wind conditions. In 2005, the bridge served as the backdrop for a performance by DJ Tiësto titled "Tiësto @ The Bridge, Rotterdam". The performance featured fire-fighting ships spraying jets of water into the air in front of the bridge, a fireworks barge launching fireworks beside the bridge, and multi coloured spot/search lights attached to the bridge itself. (Source: en.wikipedia.org)

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Length: 0.498 miles (0.802 kilometers)
Type of Bridge: Cable-Stayed Bridge

 

Photo Gallery of Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge), Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Capilano Suspension Bridge, British Columbia, Canada

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The current bridge is 136 metres (446 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) above the river. It is part of a private facility, with an admission fee, and draws over 800,000 visitors a year.

The bridge was originally built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and park commissioner for Vancouver. In 1910 Edward Mahon purchased the Capilano Suspension Bridge. "Mac" MacEachran purchased the Bridge from Mahon in 1935 and invited local natives to place their totem poles in the park, adding a native theme. In 1945, he sold the bridge to Henri Aubeneau. The bridge was completely rebuilt in 1956.

As well as the bridge itself and Treetops Adventure, the first venue of its kind in North America, the park also features rain forest ecotours, award-winning gardens, nature trails, North America's largest private collection of First Nations totem poles, period decor and costumes, and exhibits highlighting the park's history and the surrounding temperate rain forest. Guests can also witness a First Nations performance, featuring their traditional Regalia (ceremonial dress), masks, dancing and storytelling.

In 1999, a woman dropped her 18-month-old, disabled child off the bridge. The child was not seriously injured. The woman took legal action against the owner of the bridge, alleging negligence by the owner. In 2006, a 300 year old, 46 ton Douglas fir tree toppled during a heavy snow storm. The tree fell across the western end of the bridge. Park officials closed the bridge temporarily while repairs were performed. On June 2, 2012 a 30 year old tourist from Ontario died after falling from the bridge.

Carries: Pedestrians

Crosses: Capilano River

Locale: North Vancouver, British Columbia

Design: Simple Suspension

Total length: 136 metres (446 ft)

Height: 70 metres (230 ft)

Opened: 1889

Daily traffic: 800,000 per year

(Source: en.wikipedia.org)

Photo Gallery of Capilano Suspension Bridge, British Columbia, Canada