Press Release 

12 November 2015

Road works to get underway for construction of new Wear bridge

Road works are due to begin in two locations next week as work progresses on the New Wear Crossing and linked improvements to the local road network in Sunderland. 

A short (approximately 250 metre) stretch of the A1231 Wessington Way, before the Sainsbury's roundabout, heading east, towards the Stadium of Light/city centre, will be reduced to one lane from Monday (16 November) for the next four weeks.

The roundabout will be fully open in all directions, and pedestrians will still be able to cross the A1231 at the usual crossing point.

The lane restriction is being put in place because further work is needed at the north west corner of the roundabout to finalise the construction proposals in this specific area.

Work is also due to commence on widening and strengthening Woodbine Terrace in Pallion in advance of the construction of the new bridge, which is set to open in 2018, linking Castletown and Pallion across the River Wear.

Timber screening is being installed on Woodbine Terrace to secure the area and enable a new boundary wall to be built on the strip of land that runs down towards the river, next to Matalan.

During these works, traffic along Woodbine Terrace will be reduced to one lane. Priority will be given to traffic heading north, towards the river, ensuring that there is no queueing traffic back to the roundabout at the entrance to Pallion Industrial Estate. 

Signs will be in place at all times to inform people that retailers on Pallion Retail Park and local businesses, such as Sunderland Wall and WH Forster Printers at Pallion Quay, are operating as usual.

Sunderland's first new bridge over the Wear in over 40 years

Work on the New Wear Crossing Project began in May this year. The project, part of a wider strategic transport plan, will improve access from the A19 to the city centre and Port of Sunderland. Further, it will help regenerate the area, relieve congestion and attract new jobs and investment to Sunderland.

The new bridge will cross the River Wear between Wessington Way and European Way and will be the first bridge to be built in the city for more than 40 years.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We understand that road works can lead to some inconvenience for drivers and businesses, and may, at times, cause delays, but we aim to minimise this wherever we can. We really appreciate people's patience throughout the works and urge motorists to drive carefully and according to the speed limit." 

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: "Work is progressing well on the new crossing and with that comes the necessary alterations we must make in order to improve and prepare the local road network for the opening of the bridge.

"We realise that Wessington Way is a busy highway, particularly during peak times when people are going to and from work, so will try to keep disruption to a minimum and will aim to have both lanes open again at the earliest opportunity." 

For more information about the project, visitwww.newwearcrossing.co.uk, or to sign up to receive a monthly newsletter on the New Wear Crossing, emailnewwearcrossing@farrans.comor call0800 223 0379.

Ends

Further information about this release:

For further information, contact Karen Westcott or Chris Taylor at DTW on 01287 610404, 07876 590652, 07949 287356 or emailKaren@dtw.co.ukorchris@dtw.co.uk 

Editors Notes:

About FVB JV

In May 2015the construction contract was awarded to FVB JV, an international joint venture set up by Farrans Construction and Victor Buyck Steel Construction, specifically to bring together the skills and experience required to deliver this project.

Farrans Construction operates as a building and civil engineering contractor across the UK and Ireland.

Victor Buyck is based in Belgium and is one of Europe's major structural steelwork contractors, specialising in steel bridges.

FVB JV will be supported by their design team led by Buro Happold Engineering and Roughan & O'Donovan.