Built: 1998-2000 Cost: £18,000,000.00 Designed by: Sir Norman Foster Type: Bridge Maximum height: 43 feet / 13 meters Maximum width: 13 feet / 4 meters Maximum length: 330 meters / 1,155 feet Location: Spanning the River Thames, London, United Kingdom
I n the minds of many an Englishman this structure ranks with the Millennium Dome as one of the architectural boondoggles of the turn of the century. The vision was a sleek, symbolic link between London and Southwark spanning the Thames the way its visitors would span the centuries. In execution it was very pretty, but there were problems immediately upon opening. The bridge swayed, giving some people the feeling that they were on a carnival thrill ride. Others got seasick on a pedestrian bridge that was designed to be as thin as possible. Within three days, the bridge was closed to the public. Even though it is a suspension bridge, it does not boast sets of tall towers to lift the cables. Instead, the tension latticework is flared out to the sides. Even though it adds to the visual feel that the bridge is wider than intended, the lack of any tall supports more than makes up for it. If the engineers ever get its stability problems worked out, the Millennium Bridge will surely be a success. It links two cherished London landmarks -- Saint Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern art gallery. More than 150,000 people used it in the hours that it was open and it provides a vital and strategic pedestrian link in an area that is not always so pedestrian-friendly.
January, 2002 - 2,000 volunteers set out on a perilous journey. They walked across the Millennium Bridge in London. The bridge was supposed to provide a foot link between London and Southwark, but because of unforeseen design problems it wobbles when under load. US$7,000,000.00 has been spent installing 90 shock absorbers on the US$26,000,000.00 bridge. Preliminary test results show the bridge still moves, but no more than expected.
19 February, 2002 - The BBC reports that the once-wobbly Millennium Bridge will re-open to pedestrian traffic.
22 February, 2002 - The Millennium Bridge reopens.
Sir Norman built a great big bridge with big bright street-lamps,
A blade of light that sparkled like a dazzling row of gems.
On Saturday and Sunday, and even worse on Monday,
It swayed so much, the public feared they'd all fall in the Thames.
'I am Sir Norman! Sper-LASH!
I am Sir Norman! Sper-LOSH!
I am Sir Norman, inspired by Flash Gordon
Is there anyone else for a wash?'
From Ken Johnson in talk.bizarre
S.Plicio
Friday, March 10th, 2006 @ 12:43pm
Rating: Five stars. Another great addition to London.
Add your corrections, comments, reviews, or thoughts about this
building. Simply fill out the form below.
Your name:
E-mail address:
Your nation:
Rate this structure:
15
Your comments:
Messages without valid e-mail addresses, or containing profanity
will be automatically discarded. You're wasting your time, not ours.
New York, United States
S.Plicio
Five stars.