Tower Bridge

How long did it take to build Tower Bridge?

Work began on Tower Bridge in April 1886, but it was to take eight years before its completion. It took an army of 432 construction workers, five major contractors, and the cost of £1,184,000 to build Tower Bridge.

EW Crutwell was the resident engineer throughout the construction. The framework was covered in Cornish granite and Portland stone to protect the underlying steelwork and make it aesthetically pleasing. There was a strong emphasis on replicating the neo-gothic style of the nearby Tower of London, which might explain why many call it London’s most ‘beautiful’ bridge.

Supporting the bridge’s structure were two large piers embedded in the River Thames. As well as being a massive undertaking for the labourers involved, the structure also demanded an enormous amount of building materials, with 11,000 tons of steel needed for the bridge and its high-level public walkways. It also required a colossal 22,000 litres of paint to paint the bridge.

By June 30, 1894, Tower Bridge was finally complete and was opened to the public with a lavish ceremony by the Prince and Princess of Wales: the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Denmark. Its original public walkways closed in 1910 due to lack of use, but were restored in 1982, becoming a permanent fixture in the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

What was the biggest challenge faced when building Tower Bridge?

One of the most significant challenges facing Tower Bridge was the design of the bridge itself. The City of London Corporation was tasked with commissioning a bridge that wouldn’t disrupt the river’s traffic, including cargo ships carrying materials that were vital to London’s growing industries and were responsible for helping fix London’s place on the global stage.

A design was needed that would allow horse-drawn traffic and pedestrians access to the east, while letting the river-boat traffic pass underneath.

The answer was to create a ‘bascule’ bridge, a bridge containing two towers, that could be lifted to let the river traffic through. What started as a significant challenge ultimately became an outstanding triumph.

How many tourists visit Tower Bridge each year?

The contribution Tower Bridge has had to London’s cultural and historical heritage is almost unparalleled – 500,000 tourists visit it each year, which provides an invaluable uplift to London’s economy. Its positioning to neighbouring historical attractions, including the Tower of London and Shakespeare’s Globe, also means visitors can take in other culturally significant landmarks.

It also continues to play a critical role in helping Londoners to commute, with over 40,000 motorists, pedestrians and cyclists using it every day.

Though inaugurated to solve a practical problem, today, Tower Bridge is looked upon as one of London’s most iconic landmarks, serving as a reminder of civil engineers’ accomplishments from centuries ago.