Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist tilt bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Gateshead's Quays arts quarter on the south bank, and the Quayside of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank. The bridge is sometimes referred to as the 'Blinking Eye Bridge' or the 'Winking Eye Bridge' due to its shape and its tilting method. In terms of height, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is slightly shorter than the neighbouring Tyne Bridge, and stands as the sixteenth tallest structure in the city.

The bridge, which cost £22m to build, was part funded by the Millennium Commission and European Regional Development Fund. The bridge has operated reliably since construction, opening to allow river traffic to pass. It also opens periodically for sightseers and for major events such as the Northumbrian Water University Boat Race and the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race. One of the principal requirements for opening the bridge is to allow access to HMS Calliope where Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Example is based.

The construction of the bridge won the architects Wilkinson Eyre the 2002 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize. and won Gifford the 2003 IStructE Supreme Award. In 2005, the bridge received the Outstanding Structure Award from International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).

Bollards, known as the Vessel Collision Protection System, were installed when the bridge was built to protect it from collisions.

Official name: Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Carries: Pedestrians, Cyclists

Crosses: River Tyne

Locale: Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Design: Tilt bridge

Total length: 126 m (413 ft)

Width: 8 m (26 ft)

Longest span: 105 m (344 ft)

Opened: 17 September 2001 (public), 7 May 2002 (official)

Photo Gallery of Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England