Tyne Bridge's £39m renovation enters next phase
LDRSRestoration work on the iconic Tyne Bridge is entering its next phase ahead of its 100th anniversary celebrations in October 2028.
In January, some of the improvements already made to the landmark will be revealed as the western footway reopens, with work then starting on the eastern side.
Inspection work in 2022 found steel work had corroded due to peeling paintwork, damaged deck joints, leaking drains and damage to the road surface and pavements.
Labour councillor June Sathian, cabinet member for transport and climate at Newcastle City Council, said 2025 had been an "impressive year" for work on the bridge.
LDRSOver the past 12 months, the huge repair project took significant strides forward, in particular after a final £6m of funding for the £38.9m scheme was secured to complete the works, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
In autumn 2026, new scaffolding will be erected above the main carriageway, creating a protection deck for repairs to the bridge's archway in 2027.
Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said the scheme was on target with "further strides" made to "fully repair the structure for future generations".
Since the project began in April 2024, more than 2,000 individual repairs have been made to the bridge.
As well as a full repaint, other works included fixes to steelwork, concrete, masonry, waterproofing, and drainage improvements.
LDRSAccording to Newcastle City Council, almost £23m of the bridge repair budget was spent with North East-based firms.
The project is said to have created about 80 jobs, delivered 288 weeks worth of apprenticeships, and involved 10,624 students and schoolchildren in educational outreach programmes.
An auction of original bridge rivets also raised more than £15,000 for local charities.
Sathian added: "What is also wonderful about this project is the passion and commitment from everyone involved who are so proud to be working on the defining symbol of the North East."
