Around the Toon Part 1: Facts about the Tyne Bridge
Perhaps the most recognised & popular landmark in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the Tyne Bridge straddles the river Tyne linking Gateshead & Newcastle. You instantly recognise this landmark, but what do you know about it? Here's some facts & some interesting information about the Tyne Bridge.
- Construction start date: August 1925
- Completion date: 25th February 1928
- Tyne Bridge Opening date: 10th October 1928
- Opened by King George V and Queen Mary
- Designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson
- Tyne Bridge towers were designed by local architect Robert Burns Dick
- It is often said that the Syndey Harbour Bridge was based on the Tyne Bridge, however this is not true. The confusion comes from the fact that, due to the size difference, the Tyne Bridge was completed first but the Sydney harbour bridge was the first of the 2 to be designed.
- The towers were designed as warehouse with five storeys but the inner floors were never completed.
- The towers have lifts, designed for passengers & goods but are not longer in use.
- The Tyne Bridge was painted green using a special paint made by J. Dampney Co. of Gateshead. This was last painted in 2000 using the same colours.
- How big is the Tyne Bridge? The bridge spans 531 feet (162m) & the road deck is 84 feet (26m) abover the river. Height: 194 feet (59m).
- The bridge was originally built to carry the A1 over the River Tyne however, the construction of the Tyne Tunnel & later, the Newcastle Western Bypass, allowed this to be diverted.
- The Tyne Bridge was built with 7,112 tonnes of steel
- Unfortunately, 1 person died (Nathaniel Collins - aged 33) during the construction of the Tyne Bridge. Despite this tragedy & the fact that safety ropes weren't used, this number could have been a lot more.
- The Tyne Bridge cost £1.2m to build in total.