Also known as the Lowry Bridge the Millennium Bridge was built in 2000 to provide pedestrians with access between The Lowry Centre on the north bank of the Manchester Ship Canal.  Since the addition of the Imperial War Museum on the north bank the bridge has been of increasing importance.

It was designed as a lift bridge because the Manchester Ship Canal is still navigable to shipping beyong the bridge.  The span comprises a joined pair of bowstring arches 96 metres long which are lifted by hydraulically driven winches assisted by cast steel counterweights at each of the four corner towers.  Coloured glass wind deflectors along each edge of the bridge provide pedestrians some protection from the wind.