* After 8 years of construction, the bridge was finally completed in 1894.

 

* Planning for it started as early as 1876, when the "Special Bridge or Subway Committee" was formed to try and figure out how to put a bridge in downstream from the London Bridge that wouldn't cause problems for the river traffic.

 

* The bridge opens over 900 times per year to let large ships through, and 150,000 vehicles per day drive across it.

 

* The bascules (the part that they raise and lower) have run off hydraulic power since the bridge was built.

 

* My favorite story about this bridge:  In 1952, the bascules started rising while a London bus was still on them, so the bus jumped from one to the other.  (And we thought Speed was exciting!)

 

 

Want more info?  Check out: