Durham’s New Elvet Bridge is set to reopen next month after being closed for more than a year, Durham County Council has confirmed.
The bridge closed in July last year to allow repairs to be carried out which will ensure the bridge remains structurally sound.
Durham County Council has announced that the New Elvet Bridge is now on track to reopen in October after over a year of essential refurbishment repairs.
So far, the refurbishment scheme has seen the northern joint repaired and the southern joint completely removed.
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The scheme has also seen extensive concrete repairs carried out and an electronic concrete protection system installed to provide additional protection for the years to come.
Water proofing and drainage works have been completed and surfacing of the bridge deck was undertaken at the end of August, however additional work is still required before the bridge can safely reopen to vehicles and pedestrians.
The final phases of the work will include the continued installation of the electronic concrete protection system to the underside of the bridge, application of protective coatings and further road surfacing and markings.
It will also include footpath paving works, installation of lighting columns and removal of the suspended access platforms and site compound.
Councillor John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council Cabinet member for Rural Communities and Highways, said: “Work on the bridge is progressing well and in the coming weeks people will notice a visual change in the appearance of the bridge compared to pre-works, with a brighter, textured finish, as we near the end of the project.
“However, there is still work to be done to ensure the bridge remains fit for purpose and to ensure that more extensive work won’t be needed in the future, but we are on track to reopen New Elvet Bridge in October.
"I know that people are keen to see the bridge reopened and I would like to thank all businesses, residents and visitors for their continued patience whilst we undertake these essential repairs.”
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