The new 250m Wear Footbridge in Sunderland now has its first three sections installed and heading towards completion…
A giant barge transported the first two sections of Sunderland’s new Wear Footbridge which is set to connect both sides of the River Wear when fully completed.
That same barge will make its way back to Belgium where the remaining two large bridge sections will be mounted onboard and transported to Sunderland, then mated carefully via giant crane and skilled engineers.
Measuring up at over 250m wide and 10m wide, the new crossing is an integral part of the city’s high-profile developments currently under construction at Riverside Sunderland, along with: the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), Maker & Faber, Culture House, new Eye Hospital and Vaux Housing.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: “It was a spectacle to behold seeing the first two sections of the new Wear Footbridge arrive at Port of Sunderland.
“The new Wear Footbridge is the linchpin of our overall plan to regenerate Riverside Sunderland and will transform the city’s active travel network, so it is fantastic to see yet another piece of the jigsaw fall into place as it begins to rise from the ground and take shape.”
Wear Footbridge Completion Date
The bridge is expected to open in summer 2025. It will feature creative lighting and augmented reality, allowing people to use their smartphone to see virtual displays.
### UPDATE ###
The final two sections of the Riverside Sunderland – Wear Footbridge arrived at the Port of Sunderland with the penultimate section installed ahead of the final piece.
The remaining sections measured in at 63 and 105 metres respectively with many onlookers watching the historic event from the riverside as the laser guided accurate lifting takes place under the watchful eye of engineers.
The footbridge is another important part of the Riverside Sunderland masterplan, which will see workspace for over 8,000 people and homes for 2,000 residents delivered over the next decade.
