The Gateshead Millennium Bridge
The Blinking Eye Bridge
Linking Newcastle to Gateshead, this stunning bridge opened in September 2001. It uses a unique ‘blinking-eye’ technique and tilts to allow shipping through it – see video clip.
Designed for pedestrians and cyclists only, it allows access to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Music Centre both on the Gateshead side of the river. Known as the Gateshead Quays, this is an exciting new development.
Each opening and closing takes 4.5 minutes – if you consult the website you will find a timetable of openings. The site also provides detail of the design and how the tilting mechanism works.
The Bridge can be appreciated any time of day but it looks most impressive during the late afternoon when the sun shines on it. It is also worth returning after dark when the structure changes colour every few minutes.