A new footbridge standing proud over the A63 has officially opened to pedestrians and cyclists.
The Porter Street bridge is a major step forward in National Highways’ £355m A63 Castle Street scheme to improve safety and create better connections in Hull city centre.
The 37m emerald-green structure creates a new safe pedestrian route over the A63, connecting Porter Street on the north side of Castle Street to St James Street to the south.
The footbridge is an integral part of the overall A63 Castle Street project, which is designed to support Hull’s economic growth, improve journeys to and from the city centre, and help the nearby port to thrive.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transportation, Roads, Highways and Flood Prevention, was there to officially open the footbridge, along with Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Hessle, and assisted by children from Adelaide Primary School.
Cllr Ieronimo said: “This new footbridge is an important addition to our road network, providing another place for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the A63 safely, while allowing the traffic to flow.
“It’s great to see the Castle Street project progressing well and making people’s everyday lives that little bit easier.”
Ms Hardy said: “I am really pleased that Porter Street Bridge is now open to the public as it provides a safe passing for pedestrians and cyclists across the A63.
“It’s fantastic to see progress being made on the A63 Castle Street project, and with the opening of Porter Street Bridge alongside Murdoch Bridge, you can really see it begin to take shape.
“I’d like to thank National Highways and all those working on it for their efforts with Porter Street Bridge and the A63 Castle Street project.”
This extra footbridge, close to where major improvements are being carried out to the Mytongate junction, is an integral part of the overall A63 Castle Street major project.
Frances Oliver, National Highways Project Manager, said: “After many months of work, we are delighted that this footbridge is now in place and officially open to the public. This has created a safer route pedestrians and cyclists crossing the A63 as well as reducing congestion in this area.
“We would like to thank our partners at Balfour Beatty and Hull City Council, with whom we have worked very closely to have this landmark new structure in place.”
Phil Clifton, Balfour Beatty’s Managing Director, Highways, said: “The opening of Porter Street footbridge marks yet another significant milestone on our journey to transform travel in Hull city centre and beyond.
“The new structure will provide the people of Hull, and surrounding communities, with safe and easy access across one of the most exciting and revolutionary infrastructure projects in the North-East for generations.”
Keep up to date on National Highways’ A63 Castle Street Project via:
- the dedicated A63 Castle Street Project page;
- the Twitter account @HighwaysYORKS;
- the new interactive ECHO tool.
