Image copyright Ros Kavanagh

An Irish engineer firm’s work on a record-breaking bridge at the University of Limerick has scooped them a prestigious award at a ceremony in London recently.

Arup Consulting Engineers won the IStructE Structural Award for Pedestrian Bridges 2008.

The IStructE Structural Awards aim to recognise excellence in structural design and showcase projects across the globe.

Spanning 350 metres, the Living Bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland linking both sides of UL’s campus across the River Shannon.

The Living Bridge consists of a six span cable trussed bridge structure and is carefully and sensitively integrated into this Special Area of Conservation.

The design of the bridge is intended to create an organic relationship between the landscape, bridge and user, with the bridge being set out on a large, sweeping arc to minimise the impact of the structure on the river islands.

Arup was awarded alongside other members of the project team, architect Wilkinson Eyre Architects and contractor Eiffel Construction Metallique and L&M Keating Ltd.

Globally, Arup won awards for 4 projects including the Awards' highest accolade, the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence, awarded to Heathrow Terminal 5. Other winning projects include the Beijing National Aquatics Centre (The Water Cube) and the St. Pancras International Station - High Speed 1.