From London Bridge to Scale Lane, some bascule bridges in the world are worth a stare From BurjKhalifa to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, for centuries, humans have given birth to numerous incredible pieces of architecture. Not merely buildings and towers, but architects and engineers have together built several elegant museums, gardens, bridges and more.
Talking about bridges, bascule or movable bridges are fascinating examples of fine engineering. Therefore, in the following paragraphs, we have listed some of the finest bascule bridges in the world.
What is the importance of this article?
Bascule bridges were constructed on waterways to allow the movement of ships. However, in recent times, most of the countries have changed the usage of their waterways because of which many bascule bridges have become dysfunctional or have been replaced by normal bridges. Although some famous bridges still exist in certain countries and, given how fascinating they are, people should know about their existence.
The Flying Drawbridge
Fondly called the Flying Drawbridge, Leeuwarden’s (Netherlands) Slauerhoffbrug is an automatic bascule bridge that was completed in 2000. The length of the bridge is 15 metres and two mechanical arms lift a small section of the bridge to make way for small vessels and ships. You can watch the bascule bridge in action by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYXkSWWDcv4.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
In England’s Newcastle, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is built over the River Tyne and connects the Gateshead art quarter on the south bank to the north bank’s Quayside. Designed by architect Keith Brownlie, the bridge is only meant for cyclists and pedestrians. Not to forget, the Gateshead is also the world’s first tilting bridge.
Pont y Ddraig Harbour Bridge
The Pont y Ddraig Harbour bridge is an important part of Rhyl, a small town in the Denbighshire country of Welsh. The bridge’s design and operating system differ from other bascule bridges because of its tall mast in the middle, along with a pulley system that lifts the two ends of the bridge. Similar to Gateshead, the Pont y is also meant for cyclists and pedestrians only.
Tower Bridge
The last on our list is the Tower Bridge because it is the most famous bascule bridge in the world that is known by a wide majority of people. Built over the River Thames, the Tower Bridge received its name because it was near the Tower of London. Opened in 1894, Horace Jones designed the bridge.
