Lane restrictions and night time closures for inspection of the Tyne Bridge
Engineers are carrying out investigatory work to fully assess the condition of the Grade II* listed structure, ahead of a major restoration programme later in the year.
To allow engineers to safely inspect the steelwork above the main bridge deck, the Tyne Bridge will be fully closed to traffic overnight from Monday 27 June until Friday 1 July, from 10pm until 6am.
The Great North Run sign will also be erected during this week, which will require one lane closed in each direction from 8pm, before the full closures are in place. Access will be maintained for people walking or cycling, with the shared footpath and cycle path on the west side of the bridge remaining open.
Further lane restrictions will be in place on the Tyne Bridge from Monday 4 July until Friday 8 July, with the southbound lane and east footpath closed from 9:30am until 3:30pm. This is to allow engineers to continue to fully inspect the steelworks during daylight hours. Further overnight lane restrictions will be in place northbound, with one lane closed from 6.30pm until 6:30am. The shared footpath and cycle path will remain open for people walking and cycling during these periods.
Diversions will be put in place, and people are asked to plan ahead and allow more time for their journey.
Esh's Special Projects Construction Manager, Stephen McClean, said: "The specific investigation and surveying activities which require road and lane closures have been programmed within a condensed period to ensure disruption is minimised. Specific works will include use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and rope access to inspect the main arch over the carriageway, therefore for the safety of the public and our operatives, it is essential that closures are in place while this is undertaken."
As the inspection work covers the full span of the bridge, further closures and lane restrictions will be in place on the roads approaching the bridge, and underneath it on both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides. This section of the programme is being developed, with more details to come soon, but it is expected to have limited impact on the travelling public.
Ahead of the inspection works to the Tyne Bridge, central motorway (A167 M) will also be closed overnight from Cowhill Overbridge to Pilgrim Street roundabout on Sunday 26 June, from 4am until 11am. This is for essential maintenance to take place.
The inspection works are a strict condition of government providing £35.3 million as part of a £41.4 million bid to the Department of Transport for restoration of the Tyne Bridge, together with Central Motorway, which was confirmed on 3 June. As part of this, Newcastle and Gateshead councils are contributing just over £3 million for works to the Tyne Bridge element of the programme.
Once funding is released, Esh Construction will carry out the refurbishment work to the iconic landmark on behalf of Gateshead and Newcastle councils. This is expected to begin later in the year.
The councils and Esh Construction have also committed to develop the programme in consultation with wildlife groups to ensure that the main works to the towers on the bridge are done outside of the kittiwake breeding season, with nesting provision maintained throughout the works to minimise disruption to this protected species.
Engineers are carrying out investigatory work to fully assess the condition of the Grade II* listed structure, ahead of a major restoration programme later in the year.
To allow engineers to safely inspect the steelwork above the main bridge deck, the Tyne Bridge will be fully closed to traffic overnight from Monday 27 June until Friday 1 July, from 10pm until 6am.
The Great North Run sign will also be erected during this week, which will require one lane closed in each direction from 8pm, before the full closures are in place. Access will be maintained for people walking or cycling, with the shared footpath and cycle path on the west side of the bridge remaining open.
Further lane restrictions will be in place on the Tyne Bridge from Monday 4 July until Friday 8 July, with the southbound lane and east footpath closed from 9:30am until 3:30pm. This is to allow engineers to continue to fully inspect the steelworks during daylight hours. Further overnight lane restrictions will be in place northbound, with one lane closed from 6.30pm until 6:30am. The shared footpath and cycle path will remain open for people walking and cycling during these periods.
Diversions will be put in place, and people are asked to plan ahead and allow more time for their journey.
Esh's Special Projects Construction Manager, Stephen McClean, said: "The specific investigation and surveying activities which require road and lane closures have been programmed within a condensed period to ensure disruption is minimised. Specific works will include use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and rope access to inspect the main arch over the carriageway, therefore for the safety of the public and our operatives, it is essential that closures are in place while this is undertaken."
As the inspection work covers the full span of the bridge, further closures and lane restrictions will be in place on the roads approaching the bridge, and underneath it on both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides. This section of the programme is being developed, with more details to come soon, but it is expected to have limited impact on the travelling public.
Ahead of the inspection works to the Tyne Bridge, central motorway (A167 M) will also be closed overnight from Cowhill Overbridge to Pilgrim Street roundabout on Sunday 26 June, from 4am until 11am. This is for essential maintenance to take place.
The inspection works are a strict condition of government providing £35.3 million as part of a £41.4 million bid to the Department of Transport for restoration of the Tyne Bridge, together with Central Motorway, which was confirmed on 3 June. As part of this, Newcastle and Gateshead councils are contributing just over £3 million for works to the Tyne Bridge element of the programme.
Once funding is released, Esh Construction will carry out the refurbishment work to the iconic landmark on behalf of Gateshead and Newcastle councils. This is expected to begin later in the year.
The councils and Esh Construction have also committed to develop the programme in consultation with wildlife groups to ensure that the main works to the towers on the bridge are done outside of the kittiwake breeding season, with nesting provision maintained throughout the works to minimise disruption to this protected species.
