Durham's New Elvet Bridge has reopened today following a full refurbishment.
The key city center bridge closed in July 2020 for essential works, including extensive
repairs to ensure the bridge remains structurally sound.
With work complete, the bridge is being reopened to all vehicles and pedestrians.
Diversions which were introduced to reduce congestion and manage traffic flow during the
bridge’s closure, including the bus gate at Quarryheads roundabout, will also be removed
later today.
During the 15-month project, significant structural concrete repairs saw the whole bridge
centre span lifted, the southern span of the bridge removed and replaced, and the bridge’s
joints removed, repaired and recast. Additional work to install a concrete protection
system, improved water proofing and drainage works were also undertaken to provide
extra protection for years to come.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier this morning to mark the completion of the
project ahead of the bridge re-opening to traffic, whilst final checks were being completed.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “I am delighted that work
on New Elvet Bridge is complete and that the route and associated diversions are now
open to all traffic once again.
“The bridge is a vital part of the city’s infrastructure and it needed urgent repairs to ensure
it remained safe to use. The completion of the project is a significant engineering
achievement.
“Issues such as the Covid pandemic and discovery of additional defects, which couldn’t be
identified in our initial investigations, have proved challenging but I’m pleased to say that
the project has gone well. Contractors and council staff have worked hard to complete not
only the planned essential works but also further work, which has reduced the need for
future maintenance and therefore minimised the need for future disruption.
“We’d like to thank the residents of Durham, its businesses and those who traveled
through the city, for their patience during the refurbishment.”
Dan Fawcett, project manager at Balfour Beatty, which was contracted to undertake the
work, said: “Our expert team has worked safely and efficiently to open this essential
bridge as quickly as possible.
“I would like to thank the public again for their co-operation and continued patience whilst
we undertook these essential repair works, which have restored an important transport link
in Durham City and will significantly benefit the community in the long-term.”