Design contest for £77m Suffolk bridge

The RIBA has launched a design competition for a £77m infrastructure project backed by George Osborne in his last Budget as chancellor.

The Orwell Crossings Project will ease traffic congestion in Ipswich by providing a major new bridge over the River Orwell, connecting the waterfront to the town centre, improving journey times and acting as a catalyst for further regeneration.

The aim is also to unlock the development potential of the man-made peninsular island which separates the Wet Dock from the New-Cut, joining the island to the Orwell’s west bank.

Suffolk County Council wants to appoint an architectural team with experience of collaborating on major infrastructure projects, of working within a multi-disciplinary team environment, and the design of high-quality bridge structures to programme and budget.

The winning architect will join an existing project team led by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff which is responsible for structural and civil engineering.

The intention is also to seek early contractor involvement to ensure the buildability of the design concepts.

A shortlist of at least five teams will be selected from PQQs. Finalists will receive an honorarium of £10,000. The deadline is September 1.

The successful team will be appointed by the council to work alongside the team led by WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff to develop the design proposals up to RIBA Stage 3. Progression of the project will then be subject to securing necessary consents and confirmation of funding commitment.

The council intends to use a design & build contract and to novate the design team to the contractor.

Work is scheduled to start on site by 2020.

More details from the competition website.