Library books ICE president
The president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has visited the £190m Library of Birmingham project on his tour of the region.
Peter Hansford visited the scheme to see how Wolverhampton-based contractor Carillion and project manager Capita Symonds are progressing with the construction.
Building work on the library began in 2010 and is due for completion in 2013.
Hansford said: "The Library of Birmingham is one of the biggest and most ambitious civil engineering projects happening anywhere in Europe at the moment which means the eyes of the world are on those who are working to deliver it.
"This is far more than simply providing a library, it is an opportunity to make a statement about the ambitions of Birmingham as a city.
"Constructing a building of this magnitude in the city centre and maintaining services and accessibility for members of the public presents significant civil engineering challenges."
Designed by Dutch architect Mecanoo, the Library of Birmingham will comprise ten floors, nine above ground and one below ground. It will also include a 300-seat studio theatre, exhibition space and the city archives.
