All language subtitles for g.c.s01e02.1080p.web.h264-subscribe_track3_[eng]

[dramatic music]

- [Narrator] They represent
a unique kind of structure,

moving bridges, technological
benchmarks of their time,

statements of their respective epoch.

The most spectacular moving
bridges in the world,

monuments and indispensable
infrastructure at the same time.

Every day, the sophisticated technology

paves the way for people and
vehicles traveling from A to B.

They are however, tremendously
maintenance intensive,

hundreds of tons of moving
structures continuously.

- Without this, it's just a road.

This is what makes it a bridge.

- [Narrator] Its moving mechanism,

is from a technological
standpoint, enormously complex.

Moving bridges must be
constantly maintained.

The gigantic structures
almost always boldly unique.

- There should be no construction

on either keyside, nothing at all.

- [Narrator] The construction
is already a huge challenge.

- I was very skeptical as an engineer.

- [Narrator] A multi-million dollar game

that often drives engineers

and designers alike to the
brink of bankruptcy and despair.

- It was extremely
ambitious and at the time,

I guess expensive plan also.

- [Narrator] The gigantic
structures cross borders,

let people doubt and
wonder, the whole project,

a constant balancing act.

But when they are done and new paths open

for so many people, suddenly
only magic and pride remain.

- So yeah, it's fantastic.

- [Narrator] Flexible giants,

the secrets behind the
sophisticated technology,

the spectacular structure
and the daily challenges

faced during maintenance.

Huge constructions,

the most spectacular moving
bridges in the world.

[dramatic music]

[bright music]

Majestic,

gigantic,

[horn blows]

unique.

No matter what superlative we use,

each is justified,

but without a few key milestones

in the history of bridge building,

they would all be unthinkable.

The beginnings of moving bridges date back

to the Middle Ages.

Castle drawbridges and city
gates protect against enemies.

The first real moving bridges
are used in the lockup of

intersecting shipping lanes
and in pool facilities.

Unique, they can be moved
as a whole or in parts.

There are many types of moving bridges.

One of the most common, bascule bridges,

functional but mechanically demanding.

Late 20th century,

the bridges are more
sophisticated and creative.

Milestones are the tipping
bridge in Gateshead

and the vertical lift bridge in Bordeaux.

[dramatic music]

The Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge,

Europe's oldest and larger swing bridge.

The bridge was built in 1907
as part of the port expansion.

[dramatic music]

The Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge is
located in Wilhelm's Harbor

in northern Germany.

It survives two world wars,

in spite of being the only connection

to Germany's largest naval port.

Some feat.

Since 1907, the same
original drive principle,

nearly 440 tons of steel moves
the mechanism opening a path

for passing vessels regardless of weather.

A great feat of engineering.

The engine for Europe's
oldest swing bridge

sits under the bridge piers.

Rudiger Maher is maintenance chief

of the Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge.

He has been there for over 35 years.

The slewing gear,

the mechanism that moves
the respective bridge wings,

must be serviced daily.

- [Voiceover] 109 years,
they want to be oiled.

- [Narrator] Initially the
bridge warden opens the bridge

with pure muscle power.

Since 1909, an electric motor
drives the slewing gear.

- [Voiceover] Yes, it is really impressive

what was achieved back
then when one considers

that the whole arch and
pylons were still riveted here

on the landside or partly
on site with steam rivets.

It is unimaginable what they
were able to accomplish.

- [Narrator] Another
important service is pending.

- [Voiceover] I'm going to
uncouple this a half meter away.

Okay?

- Okay.

- [Narrator] The seam at the center back

has to be checked via the main console.

Colleague Cobbs can control the two wings.

To access the seams, he has
to open the bridge slightly.

440 tons of steel are put into motion,

powered by two rotary units
that sit under the 20 meter high

pillars in the middle of the two wings.

It's an ancient mechanism.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge
has a span of 159 meters

and a width of eight meters.

It weighs 440 tons.

The two supports are
just over 20 meters high.

When the bridge moves,
the bridge wings are set,

from traffic mode to operating position.

Relieving the pressure on the
support bearings while forces

are diverted onto the
so-called king and the wheels

during the turning process.

Rudiger Maher checks the bridge seams.

When it opens its wings,

four pins should slide apart
here to ensure that it works,

even during strong North Sea winds.

And while pressure is applied
on the heavy bridge wings,

they must be well greased.

- [Voiceover] You have to
be free from giddiness,

and you should also be able to swim.

[Rudiger speaking in foreign language]

Retract that bridge again.

- [Voiceover] All right, careful.

- [Narrator] The bridge
slowly closes again.

The pins engage, a steel
giant that moves inch perfect

for over a hundred years now.

- [Voiceover] When I
first pressed the button,

I was thinking, "What kind
of monstrosity is this?"

- [Narrator] This
monstrosity works with old,

but no less reliable mechanics.

The bridge wing is driven by a
slewing gear that consists of

several units, four
wheels, two wheel carts,

and two support rollers
distribute the load

and open the bridge wings.

Wilhelmshaven becomes
Germany's main naval base.

And for the bulky battleships,
a swing bridge is imperative.

Engineer Oliver Leinette
supervises the most recent bridge

renovation and is
familiar with its history.

- [Voiceover] The steel and
other construction materials

came by ship and were then assembled here

on a centering a wooden structure

and riveted like a plugin system.

While the bridge was being assembled,

the port was also under construction.

There wasn't water yet.

So in essence, the bridge
was built on dry land.

- [Narrator] The contract
to build the largest

swing bridge in Europe is awarded to MAN

from Gustavsburg near Mainz,

a company experienced in
steel bridge construction.

In just two years,

the rivet steel construction is completed.

The steel elements are kept filigreed

due to the strong north winds.

The structure can resist
strong winds while ensuring

structural integrity.

Over the years, however,

not only the rough climate
poses a threat to the bridge.

- [Voiceover] Ultimately,
luck played a role in the fact

the bridge survived two world wars.

These two devastating events did not leave

the structure unscathed though.

- [Narrator] The bridge
survives around a hundred

air raids on Wilhelmshaven.

After 1945, the English
occupiers want to dismantle

the bridge, remove and
transport the coveted steel

back to England.

But the people of Wilhemshaven
keep their landmark,

repair the damage and even
today, more than a century later,

the bridge is as important
as ever for maritime traffic.

[people speaking in foreign language]

- [Voiceover] Kaiser Wilhelm
Bridge. Good morning.

- [Voiceover] Good morning.
[speaker speaking in foreign language]

- [Voiceover] would like
to pass through to...

[speaker speaking in foreign language]

- [Voiceover] Understood.
I will open both wings.

- [Voiceover] Okay, thanks.

- [Narrator] Despite being
more than 100 years old,

the Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge is
a thoroughly living monument.

Several times a day, the wings open,

whenever a ship higher than eight meters

wants to pass through.

- [Voiceover] Attention,
the bridge is opening.

Please leave the area.

- [Narrator] A marine tugboat
waiting to enter the harbor.

At each opening, the bridge
is closed to traffic,

which is why speed is essential.

Despite the bridge's fully
automated capacities,

Rudiger Maher keeps a
close eye on everything.

- [Voiceover] The controller
can fail sometimes.

And now I have to make sure
the wings go into creep gear.

- [Narrator] A tricky moment.

The rotation motion has to slow
right down before the fully

open position and then halt.

The wings come to a stop
at a 90 degree position.

Plenty of room for safe
passage of the marine tugboat.

An accurate assessment of the
morning's maintenance is only

possible during the closed phase.

Was it successful?

Around 2010,

Wilhelmshaven had its
landmark renovated extensively

for more than 7 million euros.

Since then,

it must be able to operate in
up to wind force eight gusts.

- [Voiceover] The bridge
is pretty amazing.

It makes its own music down
there in the wind formations,

the wind whistles through.

You can hear all the pitches down there.

Fascinating.

- [Narrator] After 10 minutes,

the marine tug is through and
residents of Wilhelmshaven

have their Kaiser Wilhelm
Bridge again, a steel landmark,

an iconic moving bridge.

[dramatic music]

A similar icon that has
risen to landmark status

in a cosmopolitan city is in the US.

Chicago, the city of bascule bridges,

38 of them span the Chicago River,

but for Chicago residents,

there is only one queen among them,

- Michigan Avenue Bridge.

- Michigan Ave Bridge.

- I love the history about it.

- Right on Michigan, most
iconic street in Chicago.

- [Narrator] The Michigan Avenue Bridge.

Embodiment of a metropolis.

The bridge breathed life into
the city back in the twenties.

And is the Chicago we know and love today.

- Flag south over one.
We're gonna go up three.

- [Narrator] Thanks to
the folding mechanism,

the Chicago River is
navigable at all times,

even for large sailboats,

because the legend is alive and well.

The iconic bridge is protected
as an historic monument

since 1991.

[dramatic music]

Michigan Avenue Bridge
connects the most important

areas of Chicago.

Today chief engineer, Dan Burke,

remembers how skeptical
everyone was about the project.

- It was an extremely
ambitious and at the time,

I guess expensive plan also.

So there was a lot of
discussion and I think,

a lot of back and forth.

It's my understanding,
the first bond approval didn't go through.

It took two tries,

but eventually they did get
buy-in from everyone on it.

And I think people really
recognized what an important asset

it was to the city.

This is our front door.

- [Narrator] The bridge is
a double leaf construction,

functioning as two parallel
bridges operating independently

of one another,

able to accommodate large ships.

In 2009, the bridge is
elaborately restored.

Today almost 50,000
vehicles cross the historic

structure every day.

- The great thing was the
people who designed it.

There was a lot of forethought into it.

It's a really heavy structure.

It's been able to accommodate
today's loads and I think it

could take a lot more.

- [Narrator] An
indestructible moving bridge,

becoming indispensable
for thriving Chicago

shortly after its opening.

If Michigan Avenue breaks down,

chaos looms throughout the city.

The real challenge is
the century old interior.

All gears and engine
parts are custom made,

genuinely unique.

If a part isn't working,

it is expensive to replace or
renew and the bridge remains

closed to maritime traffic.

During regular operation,

it opens every Wednesday and
Saturday for passing sailboats

and cargo ships.

[dramatic music]

A two-man team ensures a smooth operation.

James Hoffman and Edwin Rodriguez.

- Got it.

- [Narrator] The two regularly
check if the bridge motors

are ready and on standby.

- We're gonna have to maintain
the bridges, grease 'em up,

make sure everything has proper
grease, everything's moving.

And that's pretty much
what we're doing today.

- [Narrator] As soon as the
start button is pressed,

the motor drives these gears.

First, the smallest,
then all the larger ones.

A kind of chain reaction.

At no point should anything scrape.

Abundant amounts of grease are essential.

- So yeah, this is very key
for the operation of the lift

of the bridge.

Without this, it's just a road.

It becomes a road.

This is what makes it a bridge.

- [Narrator] The bridge's worst enemies,

moisture, rust, and heat.

After 100 years, wear
and tear is commonplace.

The workers have to pay
attention and be meticulous.

The Chicago River is the main artery

between the large bodies of water,

of the Great Lakes and
the Mississippi River

for ships and boats.

The city of Chicago is very flat.

All the highways that pass
over the river as bridges

are simply too low for most ships.

A major problem for the busy waterway.

The solution, bascule bridges
like the Michigan Avenue.

In 1920, chief engineer William A. McKay,

creates the first
double-decker bascule bridge

with two road decks.

A motor brings the gears into motion.

A counterweight provides a lever mechanism

that flips open the bridge.

[dramatic music]

And it's that time again today.

The bridge is opening shortly.

The first ships are waiting.

Kevin Sechison is the man
who presses the key buttons.

In the observation tower,

he is always on high
alert, full concentration.

After all, he decides who
can drive or has to wait.

Not always a popular decision.

- We're over one to one.
I'm in position when everyone's...

People jumping over gates.

I've almost seen fights down
here because of people waiting.

- [Narrator] Let's see
if it stays peaceful.

[bell dings]

- Bridge is going up, bridge is going up.

Clear the gate.

Get behind the gate.

- [Narrator] While the bridge is open,

regular traffic on Michigan
Avenue is at a standstill

for about 15 minutes.

[dramatic music]

- All right, rear lock's out. Over one.

We're gonna go up, break.

[dramatic music]

[gears creaking]

[bridge groaning]

- [Narrator] Unless there are large boats

waiting to pass through,

Kevin usually opens only one leaf.

Initiating a celebration as well.

- We got Michigan Avenue in the air.

Michigan's in the air.

Bridge is all locked out waiting for

the sailboat to come through.

- [Narrator] Depending on the season,

several hundred sailboats traverse

the main waterway.

Afterwards, Kevin does his
best to get traffic moving

smoothly again.

[bright music]

Everything must be perfectly coordinated.

Everyone makes sure that his
part of the operation works.

It is precisely this responsibility
for the greater good,

which is the main reason the
workers are fascinated and

proud of their jobs.

[bright music]

- I was born and raised
here, so to be part of it,

just gives you more sense of pride

of where you're from.

And you cut yourself, you're like,

"Oh, I bleed for the city."

- [Narrator] The era of
functionality endures.

But with a new millennium,

a whole new evolution has been
ignited for moving bridges.

Spectacular and elegant.

Huge, yet delicate, is the credo now.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge is connecting

two cities in the UK in
a way never seen before.

It is the only tilt bridge
in the world which can rotate

around its huge horizontal axis.

Highly effective hydraulic
cylinders push the construction

from its rest position.

Opening passage for sea vessels.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

The bridge in northeast England connects

Gateshead and Newcastle.

Tony Hawkswell is bridge master

at Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

In a few hours the bridge will open.

That sounds like a lot of time,

but maintenance is still in full swing.

- [Tony] Hello, guys.

- [Speaker] Hi.
- [Luca] Hello.

- Luca, how we getting on with the valves?

- All right.

- All the fishing gone well?
- Aye, yeah, very well.

Very well.
- Nice.

How many valves have you got to go in?

- Three more.
- [Tony] Three more?

- [Luca] Yeah.
- [Tony] Okay.

- [Narrator] Maintenance
engineer, Luca Dirossa,

has to change oil, clean
valves, and reseal everything.

For this overhaul service
he is currently performing,

Luca needs several days.

- Yeah, it's a big maintenance.

Not every year, is every
five years, six years.

Depends. Depends the pollution.

- [Narrator] The men have
reached the last valve.

Tony is impatient.

He wants to know if the hydraulic
seal is watertight before

the next opening.

A test run will determine
whether the system is ready.

[gentle music]

[machinery whirring]

During the test, Luca
relies on his hearing.

Tony, on his hands.

- All I'm doing is,

I'm just checking for the
oil flow through the back

of this file through this fan,

just to see everything's
through and all right.

And you can feel it from the vibration.

See? So everything's okay.

- [Narrator] The Gateshead
Millennium Bridge

isn't the first bridge

that can be opened hydraulically,

but it is the first one that
has the workings fully hidden.

[dramatic music]
[birds squawking]

The foundations consist of
19,000 tons of concrete and are

buried deep in the riverbed.

They are the anchor of
the pedestrian area,

the so-called deck and the huge arch,

which is a counterweight to the deck.

The heart of the construction
is the huge hydraulic system

making it possible for the
bridge to rotate on the

longitudinal axis of its anchor points.

As the bridge opens,
the deck and the arch,

keep it in balance.

The London architectural
office of WilkinsonEyre.

Here, the courage to start
this bridge revolution

can be found.

Perhaps it is because it is
the very first ever bridge

designed for architect Jim Eyre.

- There should be no
construction on either keyside,

nothing at all.

So all the bridge construction had to be

contained within that gap.

I remember thinking, just
thinking, "Well, a curve, a curve,

curve deck would go out just
enough if you opened it up

to provide the clearance in the middle."

- [Narrator] Normally
pedestrians cross the deck

at five meters above the river.

- [Tony] Well that's terrible, isn't it?

- [Narrator] But Luca and
Tony want to lift the bridge

to 25 meters.

But until then, there
is still a lot to do.

- It's not the best job in the world,

but it needs to be done.

So off we go.

- [Narrator] The two need to lubricate

the large hydraulic cylinder

on the other side of the bridge.

- All right, can pump.

- [Narrator] The pump isn't ready yet.

- Oh, I lost the pressure in here.

Sometimes when the pill's
getting lower and lower,

you lose a bit of pressure.

So you've got to force it down manual.

- [Narrator] When it comes to his bridge,

no task is too menial for Tony.

[dramatic music]

- Well, we do these bearings once a year

and give them a good coating
just before the summer season

starts because the bridge
is going up and down

three or four times a day.

So we like to get it greased in,

keep everything ship shape.

- [Narrator] Tony has been
working for over 12 years

at Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

When the completely prefabricated
bridge is delivered in

November, 2000,

the city witnesses a
logistical master stroke,

Europe's largest floating crane,

the Asian Hercules successfully
masters the mammoth task.

- It was an incredibly exciting time

when the bridge was going
to be brought into position

because they needed a
window in the weather.

They had to have the wind not too strong,

because they couldn't
have it moving around.

We followed it.

We drove and kept going back
to the river all the way up

to catch views of this
bridge going up the river.

It was a surreal sight as you can imagine.

- [Narrator] The men on
the crane have little water

under the keel.

They have to work against low
tide and bring the 126 meter

long and 45 meter high arch
centimeter by centimeter

into position.

- And so many people came to see.

There were thousands,

there may have been 30,000
people who came that day,

to see the bridge brought into position.

And then again, when it actually opened,

it was an extraordinary day, actually.

- [Narrator] Time for the
next opening of the bridge.

So Tony closes the entries.

The excursion boat for
tuna is traveling up river.

[bright music]

- Fortuna, Millennium Bridge.

- [Operator] Millennium Bridge, Fortuna.

- Give you a shout when we ready to go,

but we should be on time over.

- [Operator] Yeah, that's fine sir.

We'll just single up
and steam in the middle.

- Thank you very much, sir.

- [Narrator] Time for everyone
to get off the bridge.

- Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

and a very, very warm welcome

to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

The bridge will be tilting shortly.

Anyone wishing to cross the bridge,

do so now, please.

This is your last call for the
bridge, ladies and gentlemen,

your very last call.

Clear the bridge now
please. Clear the bridge.

Thank you.

- [Narrator] Over 800 tons
of steel ready to move.

Luca and Tony are nervous.

The system is watertight,

but will it sink?

On both sides of the bridge,

three hydraulic cylinders
push the structure

to a horizontal position.

Tony doesn't have the time to
observe the imminent passage

of the Fortuna.

He is checking the
parameters on his screen.

- Everything's running
smoothly as it should be

at the moment.

We measure in the extension of the rams.

- We need to have the same
extension on both side.

So it's why we are looking
at all the pressure

and all the flow.

- [Narrator] With a difference
of only 11 millimeters,

the bridge for safety
reasons automatically stops.

Traffic would be blocked
for quite some time,

if and when that happens.

[dramatic music]

It takes four and a half
minutes to reach the full tilt.

The bridge is open with a
deck at a 45 degree angle.

The Fortuna may pass.

[dramatic music]

Tony is still tense.

The bridge has to close again.

- There's nothing obstructing
the rams at the moment because

we've done this maintenance.

I'm just basically just
having a double check.

- [Narrator] The bridge can
resume its normal position.

Tony gives the all clear
for pedestrian traffic.

- Thank you very much
ladies and gentlemen.

Open gates please.

- [Narrator] Now he can finally relax.

- Everything was brilliant.

I'm really over the moon with that.

'Cause sometimes you can
get one or two little

blips here and there but that was spot on.

Spot on. I'm pleased.

- [Narrator] A long day draws to a close

at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

One last patrol,

then Tony Hawkswell calls it a day,

leaving behind one of the
world's most spectacular bridges.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge

is not the only unusual bridge.

A very unique specimen is
located in France as well.

The Jacques Chaban-Delmas
Bridge in Bordeaux.

It is the largest vertical
lift bridge in Europe.

A masterpiece of technology
and the only one of its kind.

It was designed by Michelle
Vil Luger and the architectural

firm of Thomas Lavinian.

[dramatic music]

Jacques Chaban-Delmas
is located in Bordeaux,

southwest of France.

The Pont Jacques spans the
Garonne River in Bordeaux.

The bridge is designed
especially for road transport,

but also has staggered
bicycle and pedestrian paths.

[dramatic music]

The wide central opening
allows large ships to pass.

Most fit under the roadway,

but some need a little more headroom.

For these ships,

the middle bridge section
turns into a lift.

Each of the four towers
has a cable construction,

which pulls the 2,750 ton centerpiece up.

The next vertical lift is
pending in a few hours.

Sebastian Dufonne,

responsible for the lift
and bridges technology.

[dramatic music]

Motors, gear boxes, machines.

The whole lifting technology lies here

deep down in the pillars.

That seems obvious, but it is not.

- [Voiceover] That is the difference

to the classic lift bridges.

The Pont Jacques
Chaban-Delmas is a prototype.

It is the only one in this
category where the motors are

installed below, not up on the pillars.

So pulling the load.

- [Narrator] For the construction,

designers use a common principle.

The 2,750 ton lift has four
massive counterweights inside

the pylons with a total of
2,400 tons of counterweight

that move downward

as the main bridge section rises.

Massive pulleys distribute the load

on 11 steel cables per pillar.

The cables are under enormous tension.

- [Voiceover] Every three months,

industrial climbers check
and grease the steel cables.

With a safety harness,

they descend and carefully
inspect the cables

meter by meter.

This provides operational
security both in the drive train

here as well as for the
tension wires in the back.

- [Narrator] Each tower functions

like a gigantic elevator shaft.

The counterweights do the
bulk of the work necessary

to raise the bridge,

the so-called hub.

Two support engines,

with 180 horsepower each, do the rest,

but the entire maneuver
is not a surefire success.

- [Voiceover] We have
to leave the bridge now.

We have a ship passing
through this evening.

We need to prepare so
that everything goes well

without a hitch.

- [Narrator] The whole
effort happens mainly

for cruise ships like the Silver Explorer.

To enable ships to anchor near
the city center of Bordeaux,

a movable bridge is necessary.

And even if the bridge is
almost something of a landmark

of Bordeaux today, construction manager,

Michel Duchenne remembers the criticism

during the planning phase.

- [Voiceover] For opponents of the bridge,

the height was a problem.

Bordeaux is a very flat city,

but the bridge had to be built high up.

Finding a consensus was not easy.

- [Narrator] But the practical
effect of the bridge is huge.

Bordeaux is growing from year to year.

More and more new neighborhoods
are developing and the

bridge connects them and
relieves inner city roads.

Pont Jacques is completed in 2013

after a construction time of three years.

Construction costs for
the ambitious project,

over 150 million euros.

Most noteworthy moment,

delivery of a 117 meter
long hydraulic lift.

President Francois Hollande
comes to the inaugural ceremony.

- [Voiceover] The Jacques
Chaban-Delmas Bridge

connects the districts,

but it does so in an agreeable manner.

We wanted a lively bridge
you can stroll across

as well as being used by cars,

pedestrians and cyclists alike.

It's a symbol of the new city.

- [Narrator] In a few minutes,

Bordeaux citizens will have
to let the bridge do its work.

A vertical lift is pending.

Sebastian Dufonne hurries
to the control tower built,

especially for the upcoming task.

- [Speaker] Caution. The
bridge is about to operate.

Please clear up the pedestrian
sidewalk immediately.

- [Narrator] Cars aren't
allowed to pass anymore and

pedestrians have to leave the bridge.

There's a time crunch.

The ship is ready to cast off.

- [Speaker] Caution. The
bridge is about to operate.

Please clear off the pedestrian
sidewalk immediately.

- [Narrator] The pressure
is on in the control tower.

- [Voiceover] Hello,
harbor. Can you help us?

- [Voiceover] Yes, okay.

- [Voiceover] We wanna start.

- [Voiceover] Yes, okay.

The path is clear. A small
boat was blocking it before.

- [Voiceover] When all the
pedestrians have crossed,

we will lift the bridge.

Have a safe trip.

- [Voiceover] Good. Okay.

- [Narrator] But suddenly
there is a problem.

There are still people on the
bridge and the cruise ship

is already underway.

[horn blows]
[dramatic music]

The lift is delayed and the
engineers in the control deck

are nervous.

The engineers are waiting to
trigger the lift mechanism with

a foot peddle,

but there are still
pedestrians on the bridge.

- [Speaker] Caution, the
bridge is about to operate.

Please clear off the pedestrian
sidewalk immediately.

[speaker speaking in foreign language]

- [Narrator] Finally,
bridge clear. It's a go.

[siren sounds]

The lift begins moving with a click,

15 seconds after ignition.

2,500 tons of steel rising.

[dramatic music]

- [Voiceover] All parameters are in place.

That's imperative.

- [Voiceover] The bridge
is up. The ship can pass.

- [Narrator] Each vertical bridge lift

is an event in Bordeaux,

an average of only 30 larger
ships per year pass by.

[dramatic music]
[horn blows]

All goes smoothly.

The Silver Explorer passes through safely

with significant reserves on top.

Even taller ships can
anchor here in Bordeaux.

- [Voiceover] There is no routine here.

If it becomes routine,
then we've lost control.

The most important thing for us here

is to stick to the schedule.

We always focus on the time and that's

our guiding principle.

- [Narrator] The ship
was early so the crew

can lower the bridge sooner than expected.

The maneuver takes 11 minutes.

Now Sebastian and his
crew can call it a day.

Relax until the next time.

The people of Bordeaux
have their spectacular

bridge back again.

The UK has one place where
pedestrians never have

to relinquish their bridge
because the Scale Lane Bridge

is the only moving bridge in
the world that is never closed.

The bridge looks like a stealth bomber

and is exceptional in many ways.

[dramatic music]

Scale Lane Bridge is located

in the city of Kingston upon
Hull in northern England.

It is the only swing bridge in the world

that is always open to traffic,

regardless of whether
it is turning or not.

The bridge crosses the River
Hull of the eponymous city,

and encourages passers by
to come along for the ride

before it starts its journey.

It works like this.

A glockenspiel announces
the next maneuver.

Passersby cross the bridge as it rotates.

Coming from the city,

you can climb aboard at any time.

The 350 ton boom can
take up to 1,000 people

during a rotation.

A ride takes 100 seconds.

The barrier opens and then
the bridge is in place again.

Ships can sail the river
only during high tide.

Right now it's low tide.

The best time for Scale Lane Bridge

to undergo maintenance.

Six hours from now,

it has to be ready for
a tanker to pass by.

Bridge technician Neil
Wales and apprentice, Henry,

want to use the time
until the next maneuver.

- Let's go check the
rolling wheels. Grease them.

Check the hydraulic fluid.

- [Narrator] They climb down
to the bridge's foundation

where the turn mechanism is located.

[dramatic music]

- [Neil] You got some
rags on the screen there?

- [Narrator] The roll wheels
and runway are not sealed,

so are prone to dust and dirt.

- Can you check the trap for any debris?

I've just noticed there's some there,

an old rusty screw.

- [Henry] Yeah.

- Okay and if you can give the
track a bit of a clean here,

there's quite a bit of
grit that's come onto it.

- [Narrator] Grease in
conjunction with sand and dirt,

is toxic for sensitive,
rolling mechanisms.

The men have to step up
more often than expected

to service the bridge.

And there are always surprises.

- I must admit it's the first time

I've noticed some bird's nests down here.

They start coming down
here, we've got problems.

We'll have to keep an eye on it.

Make sure it's all removed.

- [Narrator] Keeping
everything clean and greased

is not all that needs to be done.

The 350 ton jib and counterweight
loads directly onto the

rolling wheels and the runway.

It seems to be too heavy
of a load for the screws

that secure the runway.

- [Neil] Can you get in there to check
that one for me please?

Last thing we want is
the track working loose.

- [Narrator] This inspection demonstrates

that Neil and Henry need to
check more often in the future

so that the bridge functions smoothly.

- Usually it's every six months.

And what happens when it all dries out,

you get a noise through the bridge

and there's no smooth movement.

What we need is a smooth
movement of the bridge.

- [Narrator] Scale Lane Bridge also serves

as a tourist attraction.

Not too many of those in Hull.

The construction of the
bridge is delayed repeatedly.

First plans are in 2008,

but it takes until 2013 until
the bridge is completed.

Not only is the design unique,

the Scale Lane Bridge
has exclusive features

such as a lighting concept,

and especially composed sound system.

[instruments sound]

During the planning period,

the bridge has a lot of opponents

because of the many features.

Bridge engineer, Peter Curry.

- I was very skeptical as an engineer,

because of the art side
of it with the lights,

the sounds and everything,
it made it very complex.

But when it was completed,

I was on site as a resident
engineer for a lot of years

while they were building it.

And when it was complete,

I thought it was fantastic
and people enjoy coming here

and for a ride on the bridge.

So yeah, it is fantastic.

- [Narrator] The
recreational aspect is good,

but the waterway is paramount
and the water rises.

Neil and Henry still have to
check the hydraulic system

at the front of the boom.

If it doesn't work, the
bridge can't push off.

- This is the hydraulic pack that operates

the lifting rams at the
far end of the bridge.

- [Narrator] Narrow, a
lot of steel and pipes.

Here in the boom,

the bridge almost feels like a submarine.

- What we also do is a
visual inspection on the pipe

where connections make sure
there's nothing leaking

and they're all clean, okay.

- [Narrator] Not good if you
have claustrophobia down here.

- Weight tapers down to
the end of the bridge.

it's a smaller area to work
in and you get used to it.

- [Narrator] The inner life of the bridge,

almost as complex as
its moving mechanisms.

Three pressure cylinders lower the end

of the cantilever platform.

This lifts the other end
of the bridge and allows it

to float freely.

Three electric motors pivot
the bridge arm at a rate

of about half a meter per second.

In 100 seconds,

the bridge is fully open.

After three years in operation,

The first signs of wear and tear.

But that is normal with moving bridges.

- The lifespan of this bridge,

it should be about 150 years.

During that period, we will
have to do maintenance.

The bearing that it runs on
will have to be replaced.

That has a 50 year life.

So there is ongoing
maintenance of the hydraulics

and stuff like that will change.

The computer may change,

but the structure itself has
got a lifespan of 150 years.

It'll certainly be around
after I've retired.

So, yeah.

- [Narrator] In the meantime,

the water has risen high enough.

The tanker is waiting for passage.

Bridge operator, Dean Sizens,

prepares the opening of the bridge.

He gives the command via
these remote controls

from the outside.

[dramatic music]

- [Dean] All right, it's
about five minutes now.

- [Narrator] One thing that's important

prior to every opening,

that there is no blockage in the area

in front of the entrance.

Tanker and pedestrians
waiting for it all to start.

The spine of the bridge arch rotates

by means of an electrical drive mechanism.

It's central tenon, annular rail, bogeys,

and the hydraulic pipes in
its cantilevered section

are all below deck level.

[dramatic music]

Neil Wales monitors the function
of the freshly lubricated

rolling wheels inside the foundation.

The smacking sound means all is well.

[instruments sound]

Just a few more seconds and
the tanker can pass through.

[dramatic music]

The spectacle is over three minutes later.

The bridge and its passengers can return

to the starting position,

which is what makes the
Scale Lane Bridge so unique

for pedestrians and passengers.

- [Worker] There you go.

- [Narrator] Even when Scale
Lane Bridge is resting,

it always looks ready to go.

A gigantic structure,

one of the most spectacular
moving bridges in the world.