Final stages of work on city’s new bridge
Sunderland’s stunning new bridge is scheduled to open next month.
Finishing works on the cable-stayed Northern Spire are expected to take a few more weeks, with the bridge due to open to traffic by the end of August.
It was hoped the project would be complete in late spring this year, but the harsh weather during the first four months of the year meant work did not go as quickly as hoped.
During the past few weeks, the team has worked hard to make the most of the recent good weather and is now finishing final paintwork on the pylon and carrying out final inspections.
Delays to the work had sparked rumours of problems with the project, and Liberal Democrat Councillor George Smith asked Sunderland City Council Leader Coun Graeme Miller for an update at last month’s full council meeting.
But Coun Miller confirmed yesterday the opening was imminent: “We appreciate that people are very eager to see Northern Spire complete and are curious as to when it will open to the public. We, too, are excited to see it in use,” he said.
“The only substantive works remaining are painting and inspecting, so we are counting down to opening day. Of course, painting at height using high-level platforms dictates the speed at which the painting can happen and this is still sensitive to weather conditions, but we hope the good weather continues so that we can get these final works and the final inspections completed.
“While we all want to see Northern Spire in use as soon as possible, it’s important that we don’t compromise the finish by rushing to open. This project is far too important for that.”
Stephen McCaffrey, Project Director for Farrans Construction and Victor Buck Steel Construction – which formed FVB Joint Venture to deliver the project on behalf of Sunderland City Council – said: “There will still be some minor works to complete once the bridge is open, but that is usual for large construction schemes.
“It’s been a project that I think all of us will remember for the rest of our careers.”