The ODA is looking for multi-disciplined teams including structural engineers, architects, designers and landscape architects to design the footbridge which will span 26m over Carpenters Lock on the River Lea Waterway. The bridge will be located on the central pedestrian concourse in the Olympic Park - a key link between the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Basketball Arena.

The planning and design of the bridge will integrate both Games-time and legacy use. In legacy the structure will feature two permanent separate spans over the River Lea, each 6.5m wide. In Games time a temporary bridge around 41m wide will be constructed in between and joined onto the 2 permanent spans to create a single 54m wide structure able to accommodate increased spectator numbers. This approach underlines the ODA's focus on sustainability - to only design and construct permanent infrastructure that has a legacy use after 2012.

ODA Director of Infrastructure Simon Wright said: "This competition is a great opportunity for structural engineers, designers and architects to make their mark on the Olympic Park with a striking design for this key footbridge. The design competition will ensure that we continue to aim for the highest standards of design excellence, not just for the key venues, but throughout the entire Olympic Park.

"We are locking-in legacy now by designing a bridge that meets Games-time needs but which also leaves behind a distinctive structure for use by the legacy communities after 2012."

The current Olympic Park site is made up of fragmented pockets of land. Bridges will play a key role in joining the various parts of the Olympic Park jigsaw together and creating open and accessible space.

Shortlisted teams will be asked to create a world class design for the footbridge to form a centrepiece in the Olympic Park while also reflecting the design and identity of the surrounding Park and infrastructure.

The ODA is seeking submissions from practices that can demonstrate a high level of creativity and design quality. Submissions from teams of both established and emerging design practices are encouraged.

A notice has been posted on the ODA's e-tendering website inviting teams to express their interest in the competition and to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire. Shortlisted teams will then be issued with a full design brief and asked to develop design proposals for the permanent and temporary bridges and the immediate surrounding landscape. The winning design team is expected to be announced in October.

Media Enquiries

Contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on 020 3 2012 700