The Guinness World Record-holding bridge, designed for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and originally displayed at their headquarters in Westminster, will stand 3 metres tall, with a span of 31 metres – almost the length of three Liverpool double-decker buses end-to-end. More than 200,000 individual LEGO bricks weighing altogether three-quarters of a tonne will go into its construction.
The bridge will be installed on 9 and 10 August and will be opened to the public on 11 August.
Darrell Matthews, North West Regional Director of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said:
“It’s LEGO and it’s fun, but also some of the children who come to marvel at this bridge will perhaps start to think about becoming a civil engineer one day – when they’ll get the chance to build real bridges like the new Mersey Gateway, or roads, tunnels, railways, tramways, energy systems and all the other infrastructure that literally shapes the world.”
Bill Addy, chief executive of the Liverpool BID Company, which represents the interests of 1,500 businesses in Liverpool city centre, and is key sponsor for the project, said:
“We didn’t hesitate in seizing this opportunity to host the amazing ICE world record LEGO bridge in the Commercial District. From children to adults, LEGO is universal in its appeal – and this will surely be one of the must-visit attractions in the city. Our levy payers – including many wonderful shops, cafés and restaurants in and around Old Hall Street will benefit hugely from the increased footfall that the project will generate, and the local business community in the area will have a new place to visit during lunch break! We are very excited for construction to begin and seeing the finished bridge in all its glory!”
Darrell Matthews of ICE added:
“It’s impressive to see local businesses step up to support projects that encourage young people into engineering and construction, which will help fill the UK’s skills gap. We wouldn’t have been able to bring the ICE world record LEGO bridge to Liverpool without the generosity of civil engineering companies Crouch Waterfall, Curtins and Kier, and quantity surveyors and project managers Walker Sime, and we’re very grateful to all of them.”
