PENSHAW BRIDGE REPAIRS TO START
MAJOR maintenance works to a road bridge over the River Wear start from Monday 10 September.
The £600,000 of essential works are for the Penshaw/Fatfield Bridge and timetabled for 26 weeks.
It crosses the River Wear and links Station Road on the south to Worm Hill Terrace on the north. The bridge is the oldest river crossing overseen by Sunderland City Council and dates back to the 1890s.
The first eight weeks of work will see the bridge closed to road traffic with diversions to the nearby A182 (Washington Highway). It will remain open for pedestrians throughout the maintenance.
Councillor James Blackburn, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for City Services, said: “This major maintenance will help ensure that the City Council’s oldest river crossing stays in reliable condition for many years to come.”
Its last major overhaul was in 1988 and following completion no substantial maintenance should be needed for 20 years.
The work involves stripping the road surface down to the bridge deck and installing new waterproofing, resurfacing, steelwork repairs, full re-painting and the refurbishment of its stonework. New traffic signals will also be installed.
Normal working hours will be 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 2pm Saturday. Some limited overnight work is also being timetabled.
Cllr Blackburn added: “We ask everyone to be patient while this important work is completed. The City Council will be providing updates to residents on the maintenance timetable.”
The bridge was officially opened in January 1891 by the Earl of Durham and, including its approach roads, had construction costs of around £8,000.
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