Hadrian's Cycleway

Gateshead Millennium Bridge (2001)

Viewed from Baltic Square - Gateshead

View from Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72 on the Newcastle side with "The Baltic" behind.

The first opening bridge to be built across the River Tyne for more than 100 years - has attracted world-wide attention because of its unique design.

The world-first design is the latest addition to the Tyne's famous collection of bridges - which have given the area one of the most instantly recognisable skylines in Europe.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge provides a footpath
and cycle-way linking ambitious new arts
and cultural developments at Gateshead Quays on
the south bank with Newcastle Quayside as well as providing a link across the River Tyne between
National Cycle Network routes 14 & 72.

The bridge was designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and engineers Gifford and Partners, and was built by Gateshead based construction company Harbour & General and its
sub-contractors, who started work in May 1999.

On September 17th 2001 the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
was opened to walkers and cyclists alike.

Built at a cost of £22 million and known locally as the
'Blinking Eye' due to it's tilting mechanism.

One of the worlds largest floating cranes " Hercules II"
was used to transport the entire bridge structure
upriver and then lower it into position.

It is well worth it - if you have the time to cross over and back again just to experience it. If you are lucky it might even "blink' for you.

Click here to view live Webcams of the bridge
and surrounding area

Click here to see bridge opening schedules

Click here for Gateshead Website
with more information and photographs on how
the bridge was built and installed

Closed position

"Blink" - Open position

"Hercules II" lowering the bridge into position

The bridge was assembled down river at Howdon.
It was than lifted by the worlds second largest crane barge and transported up river hanging from the hook but turned sideways to allow it to pass between the narrow river banks. It was then rotated 90 degrees into the correct position and lowered onto the river piers with a tolerance of only 3mm. The river banks were lined for miles with thousands of spectators on a glorious sunny autumnal day.

The operating Hydraulic Rams

The bridge is operated by huge hydraulic rams.
There are three rams in each river pier but
only two are used normally with the third
ram used as an emergency spare back up.
These act upon short arms below the pivot
points to tilt the bridge and make it "Blink"