Hull’s new footbridge spanning the A63 is moving closer to completion.
The bridge, which will connect the city centre to its waterfront, is entering its final phases of construction – and will soon have a new name.
The assembled bridge was delivered to its final position in November last year, with work still ongoing to complete concrete work on the bridge, laying the paving, landscaping and finishing the ramps.
Students from Hull schools have been asked to put pen to paper and come up with a name for the new bridge. Newland School for Girls and Archbishop Sentamu Academy have been set the essay question of “The naming of the bridge – who inspires me and why?”.
Highways England senior project manager James Leeming said: “It is fantastic that we are now in the final construction phase of the project but we still have a substantial amount of work to do.
The Princes Quay Bridge crossing the #A63 in Hull has been lifted in to place overnight.
Works on the #A63HullPQBridge is progressing well and on time.
We think it looks very impressive now it’s positioned!
@Hullccnews pic.twitter.com/FLSWsISlFQ— Highways England (@HighwaysYORKS) November 3, 2019
“We want to thank the public for their patience and we are looking forward to reviewing the entries from the essay competition and are confident that the students of Hull will provide us with a great name for this iconic structure. This will ensure a real legacy is left for the people of Hull as the name was suggested by a local school pupil.”
A judging panel has been formed consisting of Emma Hardy MP, Deep CEO Katy Duke, Hull City Council deputy leader Daren Hale, Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) investment programme manager Karen Oliver-Spry and key members of the internal Highways England project team.
The 150-tonne, 60-metre bridge is due to open to the public in spring. It is being part-funded with a £4m contribution from the Humber LEP local growth fund programme, secured through its growth deals with Government and part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
Subject to planning approval from the Secretary of State, the £355m main scheme will see Highways England create a new junction by lowering the level of the A63 at the Mytongate junction. Ferensway and Commercial Road will cross the A63 creating a split-level junction. Between Princes Dock Street and Market Place, they propose to widen the eastbound carriageway to three lanes and construct a new footbridge over the A63 at Porter Street.
Here are some fantastic pictures of the A63 bridge move at the weekend.
View more pictures here: https://t.co/uh2ic6H808 pic.twitter.com/cykCYc88ce
— Hull CC News (@Hullccnews) 5 November 2019
Work is expected to start on the main scheme in spring, after the bridge opens. To prepare for this, work will begin shortly in the Trinity Burial Ground and next to the current Arco site to prevent birds and bats nesting in the trees and vegetation. A fence will be provided around Trinity Burial Ground to allow the area to be tidied.
As part of the scheme, a sewer diversion is required near where the new underpass will be. Yorkshire Water will begin ground investigation work on Commercial Road near to the entrance the Holiday Inn at Hull Marina om Monday 13 January. Two-way traffic lights will be in place until Friday 17 January.
Residents in the Mytongate area are being asked how they want to transform the former Myton centre into a community green space. Two public events will be held at the Thornton Village Hall on Wednesday 22 January from 3pm to 8pm and Thursday 23 January from 9am to 1pm to seek the ideas and views of the local community.
Find more details here or follow the #a63hullpqbridge hashtag on Twitter.
