In 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.

Photograph © John A. Butler.

Photograph © John A. Butler.