Mott MacDonald appointed design checker for new River Wear bridge

Mott MacDonald has been appointed as the Category III design checker by Sunderland City Council, UK for the new River Wear bridge.

The new bridge and its approach roads, which form a key phase of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, are designed to stimulate the regeneration of the city's riverside and improve transport links from the city to the main highways routes in the northeast of England.

The cable stayed bridge will be an easily recognisable landmark in the city, each of its two piers will have cables on one side only and one will be 187 m-high, making it the tallest bridge in England.

Mott MacDonald will be responsible for the complete verification of all elements of the bridge, including the stability and stress checks, review of designer's design statements, 3D modelling and wind tunnel work.

Commenting on the decision, Mott MacDonald project director, Jeffrey Fisher said, "Mott MacDonald has a long and successful history in the design and delivery of structures, and we are delighted to be involved in this important project. The 338 m bridge will help give the city's economy a further boost, as well as giving Sunderland and the North East region a new landmark."