Gateshead Millennium Bridge
| Gateshead Millennium Bridge | |
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The bridge when tilted, as viewed from the Gateshead side
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| Coordinates | 54°58′11″N 1°36′00″W / 54.9697°N 1.6°WCoordinates: 54°58′11″N 1°36′00″W / 54.9697°N 1.6°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians Cyclists |
| Crosses | River Tyne |
| Locale | Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne, UK |
| Official name | Gateshead Millennium Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Tilt bridge |
| Total length | 126 m (413 ft) |
| Width | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Longest span | 105 m (344 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened |
17 September 2001 (public) |
 Gateshead Millennium Bridge
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17 September 2001 (public)
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. Opened for public use in 2001, the award-winning structure was conceived and designed by architect Wilkinson Eyre and structural engineer Gifford. 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 was lifted into place in one piece by the Asian Hercules II, one of the world's largest floating cranes, on 20 November 2000. It was opened to the public on 17 September 2001, and was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II on 7 May 2002. The bridge, which cost £22m to build, was part funded by the Millennium Commission and European Regional Development Fund. It was built by Volker Stevin.
Six 45 cm (18 in) diameter hydraulic rams (three on each side, each powered by a 55 kW electric motor) rotate the bridge back on large bearings to allow small ships and boats (up to 25 m (82 ft) tall) to pass underneath. The bridge takes as little as 4.5 minutes to rotate through the full 40° from closed to open, depending on wind speed. Its appearance during this manoeuvre has led to it being nicknamed the "Blinking Eye Bridge". The design is so energy efficient it costs just £3.60 each time it opens.
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