Tower Bridge combines a suspension crossing with two rising bascules, allowing road traffic and ships to share the Thames. Its ornate towers conceal a practical mechanism that has changed power sources while preserving the bridge’s original working purpose.
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The bridge’s towers invite photographs, but the pair of road leaves between them tells the more unusual story. Tower Bridge was built to keep traffic moving across the Thames while allowing tall ships to reach the Pool of London. Its bascules—the movable sections of roadway—were originally raised by hydraulic power driven by steam engines.
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UpgradeQuick facts
- Tower Bridge opened in 1894.
- Its bascules were originally operated by steam-powered hydraulic engines.
- Since 1976, bridge lifts have been powered by oil and electricity.
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