Project timescale and updates

A brief project update on works undertaken and upcoming, will be provided each month until the completion of the project.

July 2018 update on the Northern Gateway (North Bridge Street) scheme

The Northern Gateway (North Bridge Street) scheme shut down for the Tall Ships Races and Sunderland Airshow.

Planned works for the month ahead:
Continued widening on North Bridge Street, focusing on the western side between Back North Bridge Street and the Wheatsheaf. Works will include kerb realignment and new paving/blockwork. Traffic management will include one northbound lane to be closed to allow works to be carried out safely and efficiently.

Please also note that Northern Powergrid (electric) have been undertaking emergency works this week in the area which explains the barriers on the eastern footway. These emergency works are not linked to our scheme.

Dame Dorothy Street - water diversion:
To make Dame Dorothy Street two-way, we will have to undertake road widening work. The next stage of this will be commencing utility diversion works, starting with Northumbrian Water. This will involve digging a 300m trench in the verge and realigning/reconnecting the services. There will be traffic management in place whilst particular elements of work are carried out in the road. The utility diversion works will be on-going throughout August.

May 2018 update on the Northern Gateway (North Bridge Street) scheme

• School visits for Dame Dorothy Street Primary School teachers and pupils programmed for Wednesday 6, Friday 8 and Monday 11 June (Sunderland City Council Communications team attending Monday 11 June)
• Paving works completed between Dundas Street and Barclay Street (eastern side)
• Temporary road closure implemented on Church Street North from Tuesday 29 May to Sunday 3 June, allowing paving works to be completed. Junction re-opened on time
• Due to the resource required to accelerate the works on Church Street North, ensuring completion within the timeframe mentioned above, the re-opening of the bus lane has slipped slightly. This means that the bus lane is provisionally programmed for re-opening on Monday 18 June. Bus Companies have been notified of this and understand our reasoning
• Jointing works progressing on paving blocks. Images can be viewed on our page, showing how the completed blocks look with the jointing material installed
• Works progressing on western side of North Bridge Street outside of Monkwearmouth Museum and Enterprise Car Rental

April 2018 update on the Northern Gateway (North Bridge Street) scheme

• New traffic island constructed on the Church Street North/Dame Dorothy Street junction. Remaining paving works to be carried out during the next half term, from Tuesday 29 May to Sunday 3 June. Please note that this will require the road closure of the left turn from Church Street North onto Dame Dorothy Street for this period. The same diversion will be implemented as last time, guiding traffic via Fulwell Road, Roker Baths Road, St Georges Terrace to join the A183. Advanced signs will be put in place to warn motorists of future traffic management
• Works commenced to install the feature block paving on North Bridge Street, adjacent to the kerbline
• Works will now advance on the eastern side of North Bridge Street, we are aiming to complete these works and have the bus lane reopened by Monday 4 June
• In order to complete the block paving detail on North Bridge Street between Dundas Street and Barclay Street, we intend to close the bus lane entirely for the weekend of 19 and 20 May. We will be engaging with the Bus Companies to discuss this proposal. Due to the nature of the works being so close to the road, a full lane closure is essential to ensure safety of the operatives on site

March 2018 update on the Northern Gateway (North Bridge Street) scheme

• Paving works completed on North Bridge Street (eastern side) between Dundas Street and Barclay Street to allow section of bus lane to re-open
• Paving and kerbing works re-commenced on other sections of North Bridge Street, including refurbishment of traffic signals adjacent to Dundas Street
• Buses are now using a temporary diversion route via Roker Avenue, George Street North, Whitburn Street and Dundas Street to access North Bridge Street
• Works have commenced at the Church Street North / Dame Dorothy Street junction. This will be the first phase of the junction improvement but will not be signalised until Dame Dorothy Street becomes two-way at the end of the project