London Bridge is composed of five semi-elliptical arches, four piers, and two abutments. The centre arch is 152 feet span, having a rise of 29 feet 6 inches above high-water mark. The two arches next to this are each 140 feet in span, and rise 27 feet 6 inches. The two abutment arches are 130 feet in span, and rise 24 feet 6 inches. The two piers which support the centre arch are each 24 feet wide, and the others 22 feet in width.
The line of roadway, which is the segment of a great circle, the rise being only 1 in 132, is marked externally by a modillion cornice, over which there is a close parapet wall in place of the open balustrade which we have mentioned connected with the other three stone bridges.
The abutments are each 73 feet at the base. On either side of these are two straight flights of steps, 22 feet in width.
The entire length of the bridge, from the extremities of the abutments, is 928 feet ; and the clear water-way is 690 feet. The carriage-way is 35 feet wide, and each of the footpaths 9 feet.
This admirable bridge was built of the best Aberdeen, Penryn, and Heytbr granite ; and the quantity of stone used in its construction amounted to 120,000 tons. In addition to this, many of the arches forming the approaches were built of brick. The cost of construction for the bridge itself was but little over half a million of money ; but the expense of making new approaches, purchase of land for the same, and cutting through valuable and important premises, increased the expense considerably ; and the various sums expended on the new bridge, and the different improvements it ren dered necessary, came to nearly two millions sterling ; to which amount the government, however, contributed to a considerable extent.
London Bridge was opened to the public on the 1st of August, 1831, by King William the Fourth, who proceeded in state by water, to be present at the inauguration ceremony, attended by the most distinguished personages connected with his court ; and the king took the opportunity of compliment ing the citizens of London on the "skill and talent" which they had displayed in " many magnificent improvements," and especially in the successful accomplishment of that splendid undertaking. The day's festivity was concluded by a princely banquet, which was served up on London Bridge ; and that beautiful erection, admirable in design—simple in appearance—but substantially useful in its character, became theneetbrward public property, and was freely thrown open, without toll or restriction, for the use and benefit of the entire nation.