The latest addition to Sunderland’s ever-transforming skyline can now be seen in its full glory.
The final steel section shaping the structure of the New Wear Footbridge was carefully lifted into place yesterday [16 September].
Spanning 105-metres, the steel section is the last part of the structural frame to be installed, meaning work can now begin on the fitting out of the bridge.
“It’s great to see the final section of bridge get lifted into place. This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team and a testament to the hard work, coordination and collaboration between our lifting and marine teams to ensure all the lifts could be completed successfully and safely. You can now see this fantastic structure take shape on the Sunderland skyline, it’s a proud moment for the entire team.”
Mike Rimmer Senior project manager at VolkerStevin
Connecting the former Vaux Brewery site and the Sheepfolds, the bridge is seen by city chiefs as the fulcrum of the ongoing £500million Riverside Sunderland development.
One of the UK’s largest urban regeneration projects, the project will see 32-hecatres of prime land in the centre of the city transformed over the next decade.
At the heart of this is a new central business district providing over 1 million sq ft of Grade A office space, 1,000 new homes and a wealth of new leisure developments.
Spanning both the north and south banks of the River Wear, the new footbridge will help connect all of the developments, improving accessibility to the city centre and Sheepfolds and providing a major boost to footfall.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: “The New Wear Footbridge is a key part of the Riverside Sunderland development which will absolutely transform this prime city centre site over the next decade.
“Bridging the Sheepfolds and the city centre, it will significantly improve accessibility to venues such as the Stadium of Light, National Esports Arena and Sheepfolds Stables, while taking significant strain from the Wearmouth Bridge, which is one of the main transport arteries into the city.
“Providing a significant boost to local businesses, it will also have a huge impact on the city’s skyline, as yet another stunning structure rises from the ground and begins to reshape our city centre for generations to come.
“It’s been fantastic seeing it all come together”.
