Tower Bridge, London, UK. Tower Bridge is a bascule bridge, or drawbridge that has a counterweight. The counterweight balances the span as the bridge opens upwards to allow boats to pass. It was designed and built by architect Horace Jones and engineer John Wolfe-Barry. Construction began in 1886 and it took 8 years to complete. The bridge is a total of 244 metres in length with the two towers reaching a height of 65 metres. The central span between the two towers is 61 metres long, which is split into two equal bascules. Jones's design employes a hydraulic mechanism, which opens the bridge. The facade of the bridge was changed to a Victorian gothic style from a medieval style by John Wolfe-Barry after Jones's death before construction was complete.