The New Wear Footbridge in Sunderland reaches a significant milestone with the arrival of its final steel sections.
- Two massive steel sections have arrived from Belgium, marking a crucial phase for Sunderland’s flagship Riverside project.
- These segments will shortly be positioned upriver, awaiting installation at the bridge site by VolkerStevin’s skilled team.
- The project is part of Sunderland’s ambitious urban revitalisation, set to boost connectivity and local businesses.
- The footbridge is central to Riverside Sunderland’s efforts to enhance the city’s infrastructure and landscape.
The £44 million New Wear Footbridge in Sunderland is advancing as the final steel sections arrive from Belgium, arriving at the Port of Sunderland. These segments, measuring 63m and 105m in length, began their journey from Ghent, marking another pivotal moment for Sunderland’s infrastructure as part of the city’s ambitious Riverside regeneration project.
These substantial sections will be transported upriver, beyond the historic Wearmouth Bridge, to the designated installation site where they will be seamlessly integrated into the structure. VolkerStevin’s team is poised to undertake the critical operation of lifting these segments into place, followed by welding, deck installation, and railing additions. This meticulous work follows the initial installation phase completed in early August.
The New Wear Footbridge, standing at 30m high and stretching 250m long, forms a crucial element of the Riverside Sunderland development—one of the most significant urban transformation initiatives in the UK. The bridge aims to improve access to key local sites such as the Stadium of Light and the upcoming Housing & Innovation Construction Skills Academy, thereby bolstering the local economy and infrastructure.
Riverside Sunderland represents an extensive urban development scheme with investment exceeding £500 million. This project not only pledges to double the city centre’s residential population but also aims to create a workspace for 8,000 to 10,000 high-quality jobs. The footbridge is integrally linked to these developments, acting as a literal and metaphorical bridge connecting Sunderland’s rich industrial past with its progressive future.
VolkerStevin senior project manager Mike Rimmer highlighted the bridge’s construction as a monumental project for Sunderland, expressing pride in its development and the engineering achievement it represents. Similarly, Sunderland City councillor Kevin Johnston remarked on the excitement surrounding the bridge’s progression, noting its symbolic bridging of the city’s historical and contemporary narratives.
Sunderland’s various ongoing projects, such as offices, hospitals, and leisure venues, are expected to coalesce seamlessly with this new infrastructure, further enriching the city’s environment.
The New Wear Footbridge not only connects physical spaces but also represents Sunderland’s progressive leap towards urban transformation.
