1of11A view of Tower Bridge, center, on the River Thames at sunset in London stuck fully open on Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less2of11A view of a deserted Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London, Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less3of114of11People walk past a sign on the approaches to Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London, Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less5of11Fire bridge staff speak next to their fire engines parked on Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London, Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less6of117of11A view of Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London stuck fully open on Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less8of11A view of Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London stuck fully open on Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less9of1110of11A view of Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London stuck fully open on Monday Aug. 9, 2021. London's Tower Bridge was stuck with its roadway arms raised Monday afternoon, snarling traffic on both sides of the River Thames.Tony Hicks/APShow MoreShow Less11of11
LONDON (AP) — London’s Tower Bridge has reopened to traffic after the famous crossing became stuck open for hours due to a technical problem.
The City of London Corporation, which owns and runs the bridge, said Monday that the bridge was “stuck in a raised position” due to a technical issue. Roads around the bridge, one of the main crossings of the River Thames in central London, were closed Monday afternoon and evening to vehicles and pedestrians.
Traffic returned to normal in the early hours of Tuesday after the crossing reopened.
The bridge, one of London’s most recognized landmarks, was built by the Victorians more than a century ago and first opened in 1894. It was designed to open to allow the many large cargo ships carrying goods such as sugar and tea to pass through. The bridge now lifts around 800 times a year, or around twice a day.
It was previously closed in August last year when a mechanical fault meant it was stuck for more than an hour.
