Sunderland dual carriageway rises to £72m as Northern Spire opening nears

14/06/2018 | CHRIS AMES

Sunderland City Council's cabinet has approved £12m in additional spending on its city centre dual carriageway, as it seeks to appoint a main contractor.

Phase 3 of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC) is a dual carriageway from the southern bridgehead of the forthcoming Northern Spire Bridge through Pallion, Deptford and linking into St Mary's Boulevard in the city centre. (Artist's impression of the project below).

The council’s cabinet met on Wednesday (20 June) to consider the process that will lead to the appointment of the main contractor for the road, as well as approving an additional £11.8m towards the works.

In advance of the meeting, Cllr Amy Wilson, the council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: ‘All aspects of the SSTC are key parts of our city's future. By updating our highways and transport networks we improve connections between our communities; we have a better flow of goods and services into and across our city; we open up more land for new development, and we create opportunities for more investment and job creation.

‘The Northern Spire's completion is imminent and this council's cabinet is now looking to the next steps in our city's development with this important dual carriageway.’

The dual carriageway project, which received planning permission in October 2017, aims to create a new gateway into the city centre and help open up more land for regeneration.

It was previously costed at around £60m and was due to be funded with £42.1m from the Government and prudential borrowing of £16.9m.

However, the latest estimates put the cost of the scheme at £70.8m following more detailed designs, and with the inclusion of costs of land acquisition and for infrastructure support, such as utility diversions.

The report to the council's cabinet stated that the extra cash can found from an underspend on the Northern Spire project (pictured below) and central government transport grant allocations.

The council said that subject to the cabinet decision and further permissions, works on diverting utilities and site preparation could begin through the summer and that the appointment of a contractor would allow full works to begin in 2019.

It has previously said that finishing works on the cable stayed Northern Spire Bridge, which includes a 105m-high central A-frame pylon, are underway and that it is expected to be open to traffic early in the summer.

The SSTC programme is in five phases:

  • Phase 1 - St Mary's Boulevard in the city centre (completed)
  • Phase 2 - Northern Spire and approach roads
  • Phase 3 - City centre and dual carriageway links
  • Phase 4 - Wessington Way improvements between the A19 and the Northern Spire
  • Phase 5 - St Mary's Boulevard to the Port of Sunderland.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW