Newcastle's Millenium bridge was placed in one piece over the river non surprisingly in 2000. However, it was not opened to the public until 2001. It is a pedistrian and cyclist bridge only as the lane in which to walk over it is very thin. The bridge has become famous for tilting in a non usual fashion to let ships and boats through. Once a year on the Tyne we have a few days called 'Tall Ships' where all the ships come in people can get on and see them, stalls are set up, food and drink is sold.... and now the bridge lifting to let them through has become part of it's yearly routine.
The bridge lifts up into the air, rather like an eye and therefore has been nick named by the locals 'The Blinking Eye'. It also does it reasonably fast and smoothly, it certainly looks like a great design paying off. The other aspect that the bridge has become known for is it's changing colours on a night time. The bridge goes from blue, to purple, to red, to orange and so on and on. As this reflects on the river it sort of makes the whole surrounding area shine in a glow. It is absolutely beautiful and you dont fail to see people every night on the Quayside of Newcastle looking over and staring at it.
I think the design is simply done with it's bare structure but so well thought out and brilliantly executed. It cost 22 million pounds to be but into place...Worth every penny i say.
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