Here are some facts about the Infinity Bridge.
- The Infinity Bridge crosses the River Tees in Stockton-on-Tees in northern England, about a kilometre from Stockton town centre. It links the University of Durham with the Teesdale Business Park.
- It was opened in 2009 at a cost of 15 million pounds, for cyclists and pedestrians. Today, an estimated 6,000 people a day cross the bridge, a number that is expected to rise.
- An international architectural design competition was set up so that designs for the bridge could be submitted. Over 200 different designs were received, with the winners being Expedition Engineering.
- The bridge opened on May 14, 2009 with a light and sound show in front of 20,000 spectators. Several extreme athletes also climbed up the bridge arches, carrying flares.
- The bridge’s name came from suggestions made by the public. The Infinity Bridge was chosen because the infinity symbol is made by the shape of the bridge and its reflection.
- The bridge is 240 metres long with a span of 120 metres. Its height is 40 metres and there is a clearance of 8 metres from the bridge to the river below.
- At night, the walkway across the Infinity Bridge is lit by white and blue LED lighting. The colours change, as people walk across the bridge.
- The Infinity Bridge is one of over 40 bridges crossing the 137 km River Tees. In 1992, the Princess of Wales Bridge was opened, often called the Diana Bridge.
- In 2009, the Infinity Bridge won an award for structural excellence, the most important such award in the UK. It has also won a Concrete Society award, and a Green Apple environmental award.
- The bridge is part of a 320 million pound redevelopment of the area. Nearby Teesport is now one of Britain’s largest and busiest ports, with much of its land reclaimed from the sea.
