New bridge across the Tees taking shape

Sep 12 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

THE completion of Teesside’s North Shore Bridge has taken a massive step towards completion after the second arch was recently put into place.

The structure, which will eventually measure 180m, is being built as a key part of area’s skyline and will span the River Tees, connecting the Tees Valley Regeneration site with Teesdale and Durham University’s Queen’s Campus. The £15m construction, which is being overseen by Newcastle-based consultants White Young Green, saw the completion of the main structure last week, with the 170-tonne arch dwarfing the first 42-tonne arch in terms of weight.

The bridge, which currently weighs a massive 450 tonnes and is being constructed by London-based firm Balfour Beatty, is due for completion by mid-2009 and will provide pedestrian and cycle access for the surrounding community.

The bridge is seen as a key part of the transformation of Tees Valley, with an airport business park, a Metro rail system, and a waterfront development just some of the features planned.

The £2bn Tees Valley Regeneration programme, which will be based on brown field sites in the area, is being supported by a number of organisations, including Stockton Borough Council, the European Regional Development Fund, English Partnerships and regional development agency One NorthEast.

It is hoped that the project will attract new investment and secure the long-term economic future of at least five boroughs.

Peter Wood, project manager and associate director at White Young Green, said: “This bridge will become one of the major iconic structures of the North East skyline. It has been a massive undertaking and, although there’s still much work to do, it is already starting to look impressive.”

It has been a massive undertaking and, although there’s still much work to do, it is already starting to look impressive