Middlesbrough Council has announced that plans for a £9m new road bridge at Middlehaven Dock - one of the region's key regeneration sites - have been submitted this week.
The proposals - drawn up by Balfour Beatty and Arup – would create a three-lane lifting bridge and a road route via Shepherdson Way, taking motorists, cyclists and pedestrians from the A66 across the dock and past Anish Kapoor's monumental Temenos sculpture.
Plans for Middlehaven Dock: Image from Middlesbrough Council
Replacing the existing footbridge, the new structure represents the next major phase in the regeneration of Middlehaven and will provide access to the north of the Riverside Stadium.
Cllr Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for regeneration, said: ‘Middlehaven has really started to gather momentum in the last few years, and we're now seeing the sort of proposals that will take it on to the next level. It's one of the region's most important regeneration areas, so it's vital that we invest in it to help Middlesbrough's development as the city heart of the Tees Valley.
‘This bridge and the associated highways and other improvements will help to unlock the area's huge potential, and pave the way for further growth. Forward-thinking, ambitious schemes like this are essential if we are to attract inward investment and new businesses to the town.’
Plans for the new bridge will be considered at a meeting of Middlesbrough Council's Planning and Development Committee on September 9.