Next stage of New Wear Crossing underway
The 100m centrepiece of Sunderland’s new bridge is to be raised into position.
The operation to begin lifting the A-frame structure, which will form the focal point of the New Wear Crossing, will begin at about 8am on Friday.
It will be the first time anything of this size has been raised in this way since the London Eye was lifted in 1999.
Specialists working on the new river crossing are completing the final preparations before the operation gets underway to lift the 1550-tonne pylon – which is equivalent in weight to 125 double decker buses.
Thousands of people are expected to line the banks of the River Wear to watch as the impressive white pylon is slowly raised 90 degrees during the challenging procedure, which is expected to take at least 24 hours to complete.
Standing at twice the height of Nelson’s Column and bigger than Big Ben’s clock tower, the pylon will be visible from some considerable distance on both sides of the river.
To put the size of the A-frame into perspective, here are the heights some famous landmarks to compare it to:
An exclusion zone will be in place around the site to ensure spectators are kept at a safe distance, and people are being asked to respect both barriers and members of the marshalling team, who will be in place throughout the operation.
People are also being asked not to fly drones in the area throughout the two-day raising process. The flying of drones without a licence and permission of the landowner is potentially illegal and dangerous, and in this instance could hamper operations or lead to an accident.
Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said the raising operation would be a sight to behold.
The pylon has been connected to two tusk-like structures built into the riverbed foundations that stand eight meters tall and rise up out of the water. They will support the A-frame once it is in its final position.
A temporary back-mast has been attached to the pylon and connected to four strand jacks that are anchored 30m into the ground on the south embankment.
Together they will pull the pylon into position.
Stephen McCaffrey is Project Director for Farrans Victor Buyck Joint Venture who are carrying out the construction.
Carl Sarens, Technical Solutions and Engineering Director, said:
The new bridge will link Castletown to the north of the River Wear with Pallion to the south, and will have dual two-lane carriageways for vehicles, as well as dedicated cycle and pedestrian routes. It will enhance public transport, as well as significantly improve the important transport links to the city centre and Port of Sunderland from the A19 and A1.
It is hoped it will open in the spring of 2018.