Into Infinity

I went up with Jonathan Speirs to see the switch-on of Stockton-on-Tees’ new Infinity Bridge last night. The stunning 32m high footbridge is part of a £15m regeneration project on Teesside. The spectacular footbridge, created by Expedition, had the full rock’n’roll treatment for the £250,000 opening, including fireworks, freerunners clambering over the 120m structure and lots of colour-change.

But when the ceremony was over, the permanent lighting installation was switched on. As you’d expect from a classy outfit like Speirs and Major Associates, it’s a restrained, sophisticated scheme in white metal halide and blue LEDs.

It was a shame we didn’t get to walk along over the bridge though. Then the fun starts: Thanks to tiny detectors built into the handrail, the blue LEDs go white as you walk along, and you leave a beautiful comet trail behind you as you walk.

One for next year’s Lighting Design Awards, I think…

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