London Bridge, City of London, 1911. In 1799, a competition for designs to replace the existing London Bridge was held. John Rennie (1761-1821) won the competition with a conventional design of five stone arches. The new bridge was built 100 feet west of the previous structure, under the supervision of Rennie's son. Work began in 1824 and the bridge opened to traffic in 1831. From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]. (Colorised black and white print).