Twin Sail Bridge: there is no such original bridge anywhere else in the world

The design and construction of modern bridges rather resembles the competition of engineering companies and advanced countries than overcoming a particular transport problem. The original design solution, the unique design and the complexity of the construction come to the fore, making bridges a source of pride, and sometimes turning them into tourist attractions.

This is exactly what happened with the unusual drawbridge, which is located in the English city of Dorset. The bridge, called The Twin Sails Bridge, which can be translated as the “twin sail bridge”, was built through the Howles Canal and connects two areas of the city. The original project was authored by Wilkinson Air Architectural Bureau, and the construction of the bridge was completed in 2012.

The Twin Sails Bridge is a two-wing drawbridge. When this bridge is bred for the passage of river vessels, the roadbed takes the form of two sails, which is why the bridge got its name. The width of the passage channel at the same time is 19 meters, and the "sails" open at 88º. The elevators that raise the sail spans are powered by two hydraulic cylinders, and it takes about 2 minutes to fully open the bridge. Depending on the schedule of vessels, the bridge is bred up to 15 times a day.

The total length of the twin sail bridge is 139 meters with a roadway width of 10.8 meters. In addition to lanes for vehicles on the bridge there are bicycle paths and sidewalks for pedestrians. In the dark, the bridge is decorated with bright lights.

Due to its unusual design, the bridge has been rated at various international competitions and has also become a popular tourist attraction in Dorset.