SPECTACULAR plans were unveiled today to build the world’s longest bridge between Liverpool and the Isle of Man.

Tourism and business chiefs on the island have given an early thumbs up to the ambitious plan for the 82-mile long structure.

It would stretch from Liverpool’s waterfront to the Isle of Man’s capital, Douglas, and finally give motorists the option of driving across the Irish Sea, rather than flying or taking a ferry.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead, it is hoped construction could begin during 2012.

It would hopefully be ready to welcome its first vehicles in early 2015.

Officials in the Isle of Man have described the bridge as a “world’s first” in terms of its architecture, design and technical innovation.

And a campaign has started on the island to name the structure the Alf Priolo Bridge after a distinguished 19th Century Manx engineer.

The scheme was drawn up as a result of long-running discussions between Liverpool and the island about how to improve already strong trade and tourism relations.

Adrian Earnshaw, the Isle of Man’s minister of tourism and leisure, said: “The construction of this bridge will be a massive undertaking and a world first, so we are very proud and optimistic that this project will be a success.

“Links between the Isle of Man and Liverpool have always been strong and this will only serve to bring us closer together, improving trade and tourism links by way of a magnificent and ground-breaking structure.”

At 82 miles, the crossing would dwarf the world’s current longest road bridge, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Southern Louisiana, which covers a distance of 23.87 miles.

It would even outclass the Channel Tunnel, which is 34.1 miles long.

Huge advances in bridge technology have made the ambitious project viable.

Currently, ferries take about two and a half hours to cross between the island and Liverpool’s Pier Head.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool...-20699209/