There are six bridges across the Gateshead / Newcastle section of the Tyne:
Tyne Bridge
Opened in 1928 by King George V, this is actually the fourth structure know as the Tyne Bridge. It is Tyneside's most famous landmark and is based on the same design as Sydney's equally famous Harbour Bridge. It was the first bridge to span a river with no supports in the water.
Newcastle Swing Bridge
The largest opening bridge of its kind when opened in 1876. Designed and built
by Sir William Armstrong, its hydraulic opening action was originally driven
by steam but is now electric. It has opened more than 250,000 times.
High Level Bridge
The High Level, designed by pioneering engineer Robert Stephenson,
has just celebrated its 150th birthday. The revolutionary twin deck design with
trains on top and a road underneath, opened up Newcastle to the railway. Before
1849 trains stopped at Gateshead and passengers had to cross by boat to Newcastle.
It was the first bridge built with both cast and wrought iron. 
Redheugh Bridge
There have been three Redheugh Bridges on this site, dating back to 1871. The
stonework of the old bridge is now in Gateshead's Riverside Sculpture Park,
with a steel sculpture by Richard Deacon. The current bridge, built in 1984,
was opened by Princess Diana.
Metro Bridge
Designed for the new Metro underground train system and opened in 1981 by the
Queen.
King Edward Bridge
The second rail crossing over the Tyne, it was opened by King Edward VII and
Queen Alexandra in 1906.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Linking developments on both sides of the river is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, built with the support of a Millennium Commission lottery grant. A stunning pedestrian and cycle bridge which operates like the giant lid of an eye slowly opening, forming an arch under which ships can pass. It will open in the summer 2001
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The next pages have a stunning collection of photo's. I have cut the size down as far as possible without trying to loose to much of the effect, some by as much as 80% of the original photo's. They are well worth the wait to load.
Click to open the Bridges Photo Library
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