The Twin Sails Bridge is a double leaved bascule span that spans the Backwater Channel inwards Holes Bay connecting the town marrow of Poole , inwards Dorset , England , to Hamworthy. In the unopen seat , the span lays apartment over its supporting pillars , precisely when the 2 spans of the span are lifted to permit boats to overstep , the 2 triangular lifting leaves resembles the sails of a yacht. The triangular sort is caused past times the fact that the span isn’t dissected perpendicularly across its width , precisely at an angle , creating 2 long , opposing triangles that prevarication side past times side. When the span is opened , they ascent skyward , similar a span of masts opening their sails.
The 2 triangular leaves mensurate 23 meters each , together with when lifted , they supply a clear channel xix meters broad for boats to overstep through. The elevator spans are powered past times 2 hydraulic rams which piece of job upwards to fifteen times per twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia , together with conduct maintain 2 minutes to fully open.
Photo credit: Tanya Hart/Flickr
The span was built together with opened to traffic inwards Apr 2012 , afterward nigh 3 decades of deliberation , approvals together with cancellations. The computer programme for the structure of a novel span was initiated inwards the 1980s. The existing span , which was built inwards 1927 , was facing congestion due to increasing traffic levels. At kickoff a fixed span crossing Holes Bay together with linking with the A31 was suggested precisely it got cancelled inwards 1998. The concept of the 2nd lifting span was set frontwards inwards 2004 , together with received approving inwards 2006 , precisely straightaway went into handgrip due to issues betwixt the council together with the province owners. When everything was cleared together with parties had agreed , structure of the span commenced inwards 2010.
The span was designed past times architect Wilkinson Eyre together with constructed past times Hochtief (UK) Construction , at an expense of £18.5 million.
The projection received the outstanding achievement respect for outside lighting at the Architecture Lighting Design Awards 2012. It was likewise with the top iv terminal bridges selected at International Institute of Structural Engineers Awards 2012 , equally good equally beingness selected nether the commendation category for its structural authenticity.
Fully downwards the span looks quite 'normal'. Photo credit: jeffowenphotos/Flickr
The Twin Sails Bridge half-opened. Photo credit: jeffowenphotos/Flickr
The Twin Sails Bridge fully open. Photo credit: jeffowenphotos/Flickr
Sequence of images showing the Twin Sails Bridge opening. Photo credit: Tanya Hart/Flickr
Photo credit: twinsailswharf.org
Photo credit: Dave Morris/Speirs + Major
Photo credit: Dave Morris/Speirs + Major
Photo credit: Dave Morris/Speirs + Major
Photo credit: Dave Morris/Speirs + Major
Sources: Wikipedia / Roadtraffic Technology