The builders were having issues with the inflatable mold that should have shaped the ice bridge for some time already, says TU/e graduate student Koekkoek of Built Environment. “ We could see major changes in the balloon's air pressure, and it kept increasing. And if temperatures suddenly soar to two or three degrees Celsius, things go really quickly indeed.”

The team, which is staying in Finland for seven weeks, had anticipated three weeks of thaw prior to the project, says Koekkoek. Three became four – in the second half of the construction at that. “It wouldn't have been a big deal in the first few weeks.”

Last week, the team leaders has therefore decided to stay in Finland for three more weeks, hoping to see sub-zero temperatures again, but they never reached freezing. The rain setting in last Sunday marked the definite end of the project. Koekkoek says fixing the balloon, re-inflating it and starting over is out of the question. “Even if we managed to do all that shortly, the weather forecast is just no good.”

Even though there's no ice bridge to speak of anymore, the opening ceremony on Saturday, February 13, will continue as planned. “A thank-you of sorts for all involved.”