Achi news desk-
Renfrewshire Council is leading the delivery of the £117 million Clydeside and Renfrew Riverside project.
The new bridge will link Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank and “open up employment, health, education and leisure opportunities” on both sides of the River Clyde, with the potential for thousands of jobs, investment and additional developments to the riverside .
The southern section of the 184-metre high cable-stayed bridge has reached the River Clyde after a seven-day journey by boat across the Channel and the Irish Sea after being made in the Netherlands. The bridge was designed by the Kettle Collective, the team behind the Falkirk Wheel.
READ MORE: New bridge arrives in Glasgow
It will now be installed on the Renfrew side of the river in Meadowside Street by civil engineers GRAHAM before the northern part of the bridge arrives next month, where it will be installed in Dock Street in Yoker.
Iain Nicolson, leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: “It’s great to see the first section of the bridge arrive in Renfrew and the project takes a significant step forward as this is going to be transformative for the local area, Renfrewshire in wider and the City Region.
“The opportunities that the new bridge, with its new connecting roads and active travel routes, will offer to communities and businesses are exponential and the project as a whole will give a significant boost to the economy and attract more of jobs for the area – as well as more than 950 already created during the construction phase.”
READ MORE: Road bridge replacement begins
As well as the new bridge, the project will create additional link roads, cycle and walking routes which will connect the Inchinnan Road in Renfrew with Yoker Railway Station, using the new North Renfrew Development Road.
Jim Armour, GRAHAM Contracts Manager, said: “The arrival of the first section of the bridge marks a significant milestone on the project and is a fantastic achievement by the team.
“Over the next few weeks, the team will be working hard to prepare for the northern section of the bridge to arrive, where it will be installed on the Yoker side of the river.
“The new bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure that demonstrates civil engineering excellence and will drive economic growth on both sides of the Clyde.”
READ MORE: Major new aqueduct brings Clyde’s first opening bridge closer
The bridge is expected to be completed ahead of schedule and will be fully operational for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in autumn 2024.
The project is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region to the tune of £1.13 billion.
Mairi McAllan, Economy Secretary for Well-being Scotland, said: “I am delighted that we are providing almost £39 million towards the new Renfrew Bridge through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
“The arrival of the first part of the bridge is a significant milestone and will bring opportunities to local communities as well as people and businesses across the wider City-Region.”
John Lamont, Minister for Scotland in the UK Government, said: “The arrival of the first section of the bridge is a great moment for this flagship infrastructure project to regenerate the Clyde, improve connectivity and boost the economy.”
