Two steel sections of the £44M New Wear Footbridge in Sunderland have been successfully installed.
- The sections were delivered by a barge from Belgium’s Victor Buyck’s fabrication yard.
- Complex installation, requiring precise coordination, took place over several days.
- The bridge aims to revitalize Sunderland by enhancing connectivity and developing the riverside area.
- Expected completion of the bridge is scheduled for August 2025, as part of a larger regeneration plan.
The ambitious New Wear Footbridge project in Sunderland reaches a critical milestone as the first two sections of the anticipated £44M structure have been lifted into place. These steel sections, spanning a total of 83 metres, were meticulously delivered by sea from Victor Buyck’s fabrication yard in Belgium, demonstrating the international collaboration involved in this venture.
Contractor VolkerStevin faced significant challenges during the installation process, working against the clock from Tuesday to Thursday morning to place the sections accurately. VolkerStevin senior project manager Mike Rimmer commended the team’s efforts, stating, “I’m really proud of what the team has achieved, with challenging high tides and the site’s tight geography, successfully lifting these two sections into place has required flawless coordination between our lifting and marine teams to ensure these lifts could be completed within the narrow window of opportunity.”
The use of innovative strand jacking techniques will facilitate the lifting of the main span in a single 105-metre long unit. This reflects advanced engineering techniques employed to address complex logistical conditions.
The 250-metre long bridge is a pivotal element of Sunderland’s riverside development plan, intending to boost connectivity and breathe new life into the city centre. As Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council’s portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business remarked, the bridge is a “linchpin” in the city’s broader regeneration strategy, which envisions substantial residential and commercial developments over the next decade.
Anticipated to open to the public by August 2025, the bridge forms part of the Riverside Sunderland masterplan. This transformative initiative promises to deliver workspace for over 8,000 individuals and residential accommodations for 2,000 people, underlining the strategic significance of this infrastructure project within the local urban landscape.
Earlier phases of the project highlighted the necessity for substantial groundwork, including site clearance and the construction of temporary works to facilitate the build. Underlining the complex geographical challenges, the south abutment is located atop a cliff, demanding intricate engineering solutions.
Collaboration with AtkinsRéalis on the reference design and detailed engineering work by Arup and Knight Architects further emphasize the multidisciplinary approach required for such a considerable undertaking. The bridge aligns with the artistic and historical symbolism of the Keel Line, a nod to the city’s shipbuilding heritage.
The installation of these initial sections signifies significant progress in Sunderland’s transformative infrastructure initiative.
