The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, NewCastle, United Kingdom

[Debarpita]

The famous Gateshead Millennium Bridge is worlds first tilting bridge which spans the river Tyne with a pedestrian passage and a cycle track. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and engineered by Gifford & Partners, this 126 meter bridge is a perfect marriage of Architecture and Engineering. The basic concept behind the technology is the opening of an eye.
You must be wondering what the 'tilting bridge' is! Actually the bridge allows the passage of ships underneath with a tilt when it is required. The support bases act as pivots and 8 electric motors producing 500+ horsepowers tilts the 850 tonne bridge. Each tilt takes around 4 and 1/2 minutes and is very very energy efficient. The gateshead quays claims that each tilt costs only 3.60 GBP.

[Mari]

wow beautiful photography esp the first one.....