Construction
The construction project of the bridge was an early example of a government Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project, whereby the bridge was funded by a private consortium in return for an operating concession. Authorised by a Parliamentary bill in 1988, construction began in August 1988 and was completed on 7 June 1991, with the bridge being officially opened on 30 October 1991. The bridge has an expected life span of 120 years.
The bridge superstructure was designed by German civil engineer Hellmut Homberg. The bridge was his last design as he died in July 1990. The bridge was built by Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company, at the time part of Trafalgar House plc. Construction of the bridge itself cost £120 million (£203 million as of 2012), with another £30m for the approach road viaducts.
Read more about this topic: Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
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—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)