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Leading civil engineer marks Durham Bridge’s 50th anniversary

The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers has marked the 50th anniversary of one of Durham City’s best known bridges.

Professor Barry Clarke visited the Kingsgate Bridge, which was completed in 1963, and was considered by civil engineer Ove Arup to be his finest work.

Built for Durham University, the footbridge was cast in two halves and rotated out from the river banks, and was Arup’s final design, blending architecture and engineering.

Professor David Toll, Professor of Engineering at Durham University and Chair of the Institution of Civil Engineers North East, said “Durham University is very pleased to have commissioned such an elegant and cleverly designed structure, that adds so much to the civil engineering heritage of Durham City”.

The bridge acts as a link between the Durham University colleges and departments in the city centre and Dunelm House, the Students’ Union, also designed by Sir Ove Arup. Professor Clarke made a point of taking in the bridge as part of a visit to the North East.

He said: “The Kingsgate Bridge was an inspired example of how excellent design and engineering can stand the test of time. Ove Arup had a philosophy of ‘total design’ and now, 50 years on, I am very glad to have been able to mark this largely-unheralded civil engineering icon’s anniversary.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Penny Marshall .