Artists impression of the new Wear Bridge
Roadworks relating to the New Wear Crossing in Sunderland will be removed over the festive holidays – but drivers are being reminded that work will step up in 2016.
Lane closures and temporary works along Wessington Way will stop for the rest of this year, with traffic management measures being re-introduced along the A1231 Wessington Way from 11 January.
From January 2016 there will be roadworks, lane restrictions and reduced speed limits in place along several routes in the area, which will allow construction workers to safely begin building the approach roads for the new bridge, namely:
• Minor roadworks along Hylton Park Road from 4 Jan
• A1231 Wessington Way – from 11 January it will be down to one lane eastbound approaching the Sainsbury’s roundabout, and then down to one lane in both directions for around 12 months from mid-January
• The short section of Timber Beach Road that links the A1231 Wessington Way with the main road through Sunderland Enterprise Park will close permanently from mid-February 2016
• Work to widen Woodbine Terrace in Pallion is underway
• The roundabout connecting European Way and Pallion New Road will see extensive upgrading works carried out.
There will also be smaller elements of work taking place for shorter periods on roads linked to the scheme to the north and south of the river.
Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “I’m sure that drivers will be very happy to see the roadworks removed over the busy holiday period. However, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the work will continue in January and that some delays and disruption are expected.”
Stephen McCaffrey, is the Project Director with FVB JV, the partnership set up by Farrans Construction and Victor Buyck Steel Construction to deliver the project. He said: “There will be some disruption throughout the project to the local road network, which we cannot avoid. However, I wish to assure drivers that we will keep disruption to a minimum and will give as much warning as possible. I thank everyone for their continued patience.”
The new bridge will cross the River Wear between Wessington Way in Castletown and European Way in Pallion.
It is the first bridge to be built over the Wear in the city for more than 40 years and is part of the wider strategic transport plan to link the Port of Sunderland and city centre to the A19 and A1. It will also attract new jobs and investment to Sunderland and help regenerate the area.
The new bridge will be a three span cable-stayed bridge with an A-frame pylon rising to 105m (344ft) crossing the River Wear between Castletown on the north to Pallion on the south bank.
This pylon is twice as high as Nelson’s Column and taller than Big Ben’s clock tower. It will have two lanes of traffic in each direction, plus dedicated cycleways and footpaths.
To sign up to receive regular updates on the New Wear Crossing, email newwearcrossing@farrans.com asking to be put on the distribution list.
For more information, go to www.newwearcrossing.co.uk, or call 0800 223 0379
