Bridges over the Tyne. View of two of the bridges which cross the River Tyne, England, linking Newcastle (right) with Gateshead (left). The Tyne Bridge (centre) is also known as the George V Bridge, as it was opened by this monarch in 1929. It was built by the bridge-builders Dorman Long, and has a span of around 375 metres. It was used as a model for the much larger Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia, which is three times as long. The Swing Bridge, designed by the engineer William Armstrong, was opened in 1876. It is centrally-pivoted to allow boats to pass either side of it as they make their way down the river.