New Wear Crossing bridge deck could move tomorrow

The deck of Sunderland’s New Wear Crossing could start making its way across the river tomorrow.

The bridge team is carrying out final preparations in readiness to launch the 300-metre deck from the south side of the river to the north.

If weather conditions are suitable, the process could begin on Sunday afternoon.

The initial phase will be particularly slow as the blue steel temporary nose of the deck is guided carefully through the 100-metre tall central pylon.

While people are unlikely to actually see the bridge deck moving, due to the controlled pace of the hydraulic jacks operating the launch, its progress will be visible over the course of time as the steel and concrete structure moves gradually towards the north embankment.

The operation is expected to take at least two days to complete, and will be dependent on weather conditions.

Once in place, the deck will span from where it has been assembled on the south side of the river in Pallion to the north side in Castletown, and will require a further 40-metre section to be constructed over the summer months on the north side in order to complete the full length of the bridge.

Sunderland City Council leader Coun Paul Watson said: “It will be very exciting to see the bridge deck take its final position over the River Wear.

“With every major milestone we pass, the new bridge comes to life a little bit more, and having the deck across the river will really give us an indication of what the New Wear Crossing will do for Sunderland and the positive impact it will have on the landscape.”