Three hundred metres of bridge deck, weighing 4750t, has been carefully pushed into position using hydraulic jacks on the New Wear Crossing project in Sunderland.

 

The two day launch was completed yesterday and saw the deck guided from the south embankment to the north through a 105m tall A-frame central pylon in the middle of the river.

 

A further 30m section of deck will be constructed this summer on the north side of the river to complete the full length of the bridge.

 

Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson said the bridge “will inject investment, jobs and pride into our city and will be the catalyst for regeneration and development along the riverbank. Exciting times lie ahead.”

 

The New Wear Crossing is phase two of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, which is a five phase plan to improve links between the A19, the city centre and the port.

 

Work is being carried out by a joint venture of Farrans Construction and Victor Buyck Steel Construction, with Atkins providing project supervision. The structure will open to traffic next spring.

 

Construction of the bridge began in May 2015 and much of the work has centred around building a cofferdam and pylon foundations within the riverbed, constructing approach roads on the south side and assembling the bridge deck.

 

The 105m pylon was raised into position in February. Scaffolding has been attached to the top of the pylon to allow cable stays to be fitted during the summer. They will be attached to the deck and gradually stressed to take the weight of the bridge later this year. Temporary supports holding the deck will then be removed.

 

A project report on the New Wear Crossing appeared in last September’s issue of Transportation Professional.
 

Pictured left is an artist's impression of how the finished bridge will look. Alongside are three photographs of the bridge's construction, taken this week.