Tower Bridge has been closed to vehicles until the end of the year for essential maintenance.
The 122 year old bascule and suspension bridge will see its timber decking and expansion joints replaced, carriageway resurfaced, brick arches waterproofed and lifting mechanism overhauled. The last major refurbishment of the bridge was in the 1970s.
Tower Bridge carries 40,000 pedestrians and 21,000 vehicles a day. Works are being led by BAM Nuttall on behalf of the City of London Corporation.
The Corporation’s planning and transport committee chairman Chris Hayward said: “This decision to close Tower Bridge to vehicles has not been taken lightly. We will use this time to repair, refurbish and upgrade London’s most iconic bridge, which has gone without significant engineering works for more than 35 years.”
Transport for London’s managing director of surface transport Leon Daniels added: “Closing Tower Bridge for this work will avoid the risk of any further unplanned closures for emergency repairs. We have been working closely with the City of London to minimise the impact of this vital refurbishment and to ensure that Londoners have the travel advice they need.”
He added that local roadworks have been banned during the bridge closure to reduce further disruption.
♦ Downstream of Tower Bridge the Mayor of London yesterday gave further detail on plans for taking forward a series of new river crossings over the next decade, including the Silvertown Tunnel and a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe with Canary Wharf.
Measures to mitigate possible air quality problems inside the Silvertown Tunnel will now include the provision of a bespoke ‘cycle bus’ to carry riders and their bicycles through the tunnel on a turn up and go basis.
Delivery of the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf bridge will now be accelerated, with a competitive procurement process taking place next year. Subject to funding the new bridge could open in 2020.
“As we continue to unlock the massive economic potential of east London we must secure the very best transport infrastructure that improves the quality of life for everyone living and working in the area,” the Mayor said.
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