See how Tower Bridge London changed between 1892 and 2025. Drag the slider to compare the historic photograph with the modern view.
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In 1884, the City of London Corporation initiated a competition to design a new bridge downstream of London Bridge, aiming to alleviate congestion and facilitate river traffic. The winning design, a combined bascule and suspension bridge, was proposed by Sir Horace Jones and engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry. Construction began in 1886, and the bridge was completed in 1894, costing over £1 million. It was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. (towerbridge.london) The bridge's distinctive neo-Gothic towers were designed to complement the nearby Tower of London. Originally, the bascules were operated by steam-powered hydraulics; in 1976, they were converted to an electro-hydraulic system. (towerbridge.org.uk) Today, Tower Bridge remains a vital transport link and a symbol of London's engineering heritage.
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