Sunderland Unveils £44M Keel Crossing Bridge Connecting City Centre and Riverside

Sunderland has officially opened its new £44 million Keel Crossing, a striking pedestrian and cycle bridge that now links the city centre with the growing northern Riverside area.

Constructed by VolkerStevin on behalf of Sunderland City Council, the bridge forms a major part of the £600 million Riverside Sunderland regeneration programme. It officially opened to the public on Saturday, 18 October, coinciding with a bustling matchday as fans made their way to the Stadium of Light for Sunderland AFC’s home fixture against Wolves.

The bridge had already seen temporary use earlier in the summer when it provided access for spectators attending the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match on 22 August.

Keel Crossing strengthens pedestrian and cycling links between the city centre and key destinations north of the River Wear, including the Beacon of Light, Sheepfolds Stables, and Sunderland College’s Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA). Local officials say the new structure will also make it easier for visitors to reach recently opened restaurants, bars, and leisure spaces created as part of the wider Riverside redevelopment.

Planners regard the crossing as a centrepiece of the regeneration programme, designed to encourage active travel and boost accessibility across the river. The new link is expected to ease congestion and improve matchday crowd flow to and from the Stadium of Light.

Spanning 250 metres and rising 30 metres above the River Wear, the 10-metre-wide bridge was built from two large steel sections — measuring 63m and 105m — that were shipped from Ghent during summer 2024. Construction teams used a custom-built trolley system equipped with winches to install 91 deck planks, each 10 metres wide, ensuring safe and precise placement along the span.

Design work for Keel Crossing began with an initial reference concept by AtkinsRéalis, before detailed engineering and architectural development were carried out by Arup and Knight Architects. The bridge’s alignment follows Sunderland’s “Keel Line”, a 292-metre public artwork celebrating the city’s shipbuilding legacy and the 8,102 vessels once produced on its riverbanks.

VolkerStevin operations director Ian Cussons expressed pride in the project’s completion, saying:

“It’s fantastic to see Keel Crossing open to the public. This bridge not only connects communities but also pays tribute to Sunderland’s maritime heritage. It’s a landmark project for both the city and VolkerStevin.”

Cussons added that crews would remain on site for a short period to complete finishing touches, including landscaping and preparations to reopen the Coast-to-Coast cycleway.

Council leader Michael Mordey described the bridge as a symbol of progress:

“The Keel Crossing marks a significant milestone for Sunderland. It stands as a powerful statement of the city’s ambition and transformation.”