A busy crossing point between south London and the City of London's financial district, there were scenes as bicycle couriers, traffic and pedestrians walked up to the bridge's gates to see what the hold up was.
"According to the security radios we overheard there are multiple failures," a witness told the Guardian.
The bridge remained stuck well into Saturday evening, amusing onlookers and frustrating travellers.
As of Sunday morning it remained closed to vehicles during repairs, with only cyclist and pedestrians being able to cross - prolonging the traffic woes caused by other bridge closures.
This is hardly the first time the bridge has suffered an embarrassing malfunction. The last time this happened was 2005 when it was left agape for 10 hours.
Then again the historic landmark is getting on a bit as it approaches its 135th year.
Tower Bridge is 244 meters long and its towers are 65 meters high. It was built between 1886 and 1894.
- With AP reporting
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