The Millenium Bridge is a tilt bridge for pedestrian and cycle traffic across the River Tyne.
In November 2000 the bridge was brought up river in one piece and was lifted into place by a floating crane. It was opened to the public on 17 September 2001, and was dedicated by the Queen on 7 May 2002.
The bridge opens by rotating on large bearings housed on the river banks. When open it looks like two arches across the river linked by horizontal cables. Six hydraulic rams open the bridge in about 5 minutes.
In the summer (late May to early September) the bridge opens every day at noon. Other scheduled tilts are shown on the bridge's page on Gateshead Council's website. It also opens to allow river traffic through.
