Infinity Bridge

Let's go to Infinity and Beyond! However, this is not a Toy Story!

On Teesside, a foot bridge was required to connect the Northshore development to the Queens campus of the University and Teesdale Business Park. If you are just visiting, the Infinity Bridge makes a nice meander, especially to/from the Tees Barrage. There are also lots of photographic opportunities.

The above photo is an awesome capture by Ken Walker, who kindly permitted us to post this.

In 2003 there was a competition by the Royal Institute of British Architects and English Partnerships for an architectural design of a pedestrian Footbridge. The remit read that it was to be iconic and prestigious.

With around 200 entries, Expedition Engineering and Spence Associates won the competition with their dramatic submission. The design was such that the bridge could not have a central support; a 1,000 metre rowing course runs diagonally across the Tees at this point, and a central pillar would obstruct the course. It was not yet called Infinity.

It was a bridge over troubled water as Expedition Engineering and Spence Associates quarrelled like fish wives over who designed it and who should be credited for what.

An independent company Flint & Neill Limited was appointed to investigate category III checks of the bridge design, which included wind tunnel testing, failure modes, and loading. There were a number of aspects that fell outside the standards and these were rectified. It cost £15 million to build.

Here are a few facts. Wikipedia has plenty more if you are engrossed.

The bridge is of a dual bowstring type and the span bifurcates (divided into 2 parts).

Underneath the bridge are baffles to control the oscillation.

There is a special lighting arrangement, designed by Speirs and Major Associates, such that at night the walkway changes from blue to white LEDs as it is traversed. The painted white arches above are lit too.

The build took two years, and it was opened in 2009.

It has a design life of 120 years.

It is crossed approximately 6,000 times a day.

International Infinity Day is celebrated on August 8th and is a day when you are encouraged to think deeply and discuss in a philosophical way.

From various angles, there are elegant, curvaceous aesthetics. Here are some wonderful photos from DJ Aerial photography who kindly permitted us to use them

Hope you enjoy this and the nearby Tees Barrage.