VolkerStevin has been chosen to deliver Sunderland’s ‘smart bridge’, a £31m pedestrian and cyclist crossing that will connect both sides of the Wear at Riverside Sunderland, the UK.
The bridge will feature advanced technology to provide engaging interactive experiences for users.
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Under the contract, VolkerStevin has committed to £2.6m worth of social value commitments.
This includes a community fund to support projects that improve the cultural, heritage, educational, environmental, energy and health opportunities of local residents, as well as a commitment to employ at least 15 local people on the project.
Sunderland City Council councillor Graeme Miller said: “We’re delighted to have appointed our delivery partner, VolkerStevin to move forward with this hugely significant infrastructure project that will further connect our city. And what’s more, to have secured a firm that will inject a huge sum into the local economy, as well as adding social value through a range of initiatives, means we’re making every pound we spend count, and the benefit of this project will be felt even during the construction phase of the project. VolkerStevin will also play a significant role in the forthcoming Sunderland Business Festival, which will take place between October 4 and 8.
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“We’re hugely ambitious for Sunderland, and this is the latest in a long line of transformational projects that we’re advancing with at pace at Riverside Sunderland. Our city centre is transforming with well over £350m worth of development projects progressing, and we’re delighted to see this important project take a significant step forward.”
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By GlobalDataIn March, the planning approval was given for the bridge.
Plans were first revealed in 2019.
The bridge will connect the former Vaux Brewery site to Sheepfolds, thereby offering improved links to the Stadium of Light, the two University of Sunderland campuses in the city centre and St Peter’s, and residential communities to the north of the river.
VolkerStevin managing director Jonathan Suckling said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract from Sunderland City Council, and are looking forward to working collaboratively with all parties during the early contractor involvement period to ensure that Wear Bridge is delivered with certainty.
“We have assembled a great team of designers and supply chain who will help us deliver this significant project and further build on our legacy of delivering major infrastructure schemes in the North East – which include other iconic bridges such as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Northumbria University’s Intersite Bridge.”
There are two important stages of work to this structure, with the first involving a detailed rehearsal of the build process.
The work to create the bridge will commence in summer 2022.
The bridge is expected to open in summer 2024.
This bridge will feature creative lighting and augmented reality, enabling people to use their smartphone to see virtual displays that will create ‘an experience that will really bring to life the city’s digital ambitions’.
The crossing will offer access to both pedestrians and cyclists, thereby creating improved connections between the city centre and the coast.
—————————————————————————————————————–The bridge is expected to open in summer 2024. Credit: VolkerStevin
