To celebrate the importance and beauty of bridges from around the world ahead of the opening of its new exhibition, Bridge Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is inviting the public and engineers to share pictures of themselves with their favourite crossings on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The best bridge selfies will be selected to form part of a special montage of bridges which will be displayed in the exhibition next to its centre piece - the world’s longest ever bridge made out of LEGO.
The LEGO bridge’s towers will stand at 3 metres tall and the total span will measure at just over 33.2 metres – about the same as three London double decker busses parked end on end. The colossal structure will stand without the aid of glue and structural reinforcements. ICE has drafted in expert help from its membership of professionally qualified civil engineers to design and construct the bridge, and position it into the exhibition space – a Grade II listed library inside ICE’s Westminster headquarters.
ICE is also documenting the design and construction of the bridge - working alongside structural engineers from WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff and world-renowned long-span bridge engineer and ICE Gold Medal winner Robin Sham - to engage and inspire the next generation of engineers in the art of bridge building.
Claire Gott MBE of WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff and Chair of ICE’s Inspiration Panel, has called on fellow engineers, members of the public, and enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate their love of bridges and post their snaps with the hashtag #BridgeSelfie.
“Every day we use something designed or created by a civil engineer. A clean water supply for our health, a sewer for our waste, a road or railway for our way to work, and wind and solar farms to power our TVs, charge our phones and light our streets. Bridges – probably the most iconic and beautiful of all engineers’ creations – allow us to cross rivers, seas, valleys and even continents – they connect people and places all over the world.” she said.
“ICE’s Bridge Engineering exhibition gives us a window into the world of civil engineering and bridge creation, and what better way to celebrate bridges worldwide, than through a world record breaking LEGO bridge.
“Please help us celebrate the opening of this special bridge exhibition by sharing your #BridgeSelfie. Is there a bridge that brightens your local landscape? Perhaps you cross one every day to get to work. Look out for iconic bridges while you are on holiday! Share your love for bridges and be part of a movement to inspire the next generation of engineers.”
How to get involved:
1.Post a picture of yourself with a bridge
2.Include the name of the bridge, and say why you like it (optional)
3.Include the #BridgeSelfie hashtag
4.Tag ICE (Twitter and Instagram: @ice_engineers | Facebook: @institutionofcivilengineers)
Selfie snappers can also upload their bridge pictures directly to www.ice.org.uk/BridgeEngineering
Bridge Engineering – a window into the world of civil engineering – will open its doors to the public on October 17th.