Gateshead Highway flyover - what to expect
The main work to demolish the Gateshead Highway flyover will begin in April.
Here we lay out what you can expect to see over the coming weeks and months as our contractors BAM complete the demolition of the Computer House office block, and set to work on the flyover itself.
We are expecting the demolition of the flyover to take around six months, starting in April and then to complete around October this year.
We expect to see the first section of flyover to be demolished in April will be the 'on' and 'off' ramps in the centre of the structure, just to the south of the Sunderland Road bus lane.
We've recently shared an update on the heavyweight steel props that are being placed under the flyover, to enable demolition to begin.
A total of 40 pairs of props are being placed under the flyover structure, in preparation for demolition beginning.
After the ramps come down, that will be followed by the sections of flyover sitting directly above the Sunderland Road bus lane , before the team moves further south towards Five Bridges roundabout - we expect this will be around June.
The area around Park Lane roundabout will first see works in May to prepare for demolition, but the actual demolition should take place in the summer months. We then finish with the section of flyover above the Metro tunnels in the early autumn.
Diversion routes and traffic management plans are now being finalised, to ensure we minimise disruption while the demolition is ongoing.
We are working with bus operators so they can plan their routes while work is ongoing.
The council and BAM are working closely together to minimise disruption to the travelling public and at this stage the demolition partners do not expect the Metro lines will need to close.
However, monitoring equipment has been installed in the tunnels, so if any movement beyond normal levels is detected, the council and Nexus will be alerted immediately to take action.
Full information on the road closures and diversions required will be published in the coming weeks.
We have already been planning and implementing pedestrian diversions around the flyover demolition site.
A map is being produced to show people how to divert via the Five Bridges footbridges to the south, or via the former Lindisfarne Drive road to the east of the flyover, before crossing into the town centre via the Park Lane roundabout or the subway north of the roundabout.
'Haul roads' have also been created either side of the flyover, to provide safe working platforms for the demolition contractors to use, and to remove material from the site.
Waste materials will be taken out via Park Lane roundabout and the Felling bypass and taken to Thompsons' facility at Springwell for recycling.
Buildings alongside the flyover will be protected using scaffolding 'screens' with heavy blocks to anchor them.
BAM also have an extensive social sustainability programme, working with local schools and helping to fund local projects around the flyover and Gateshead town centre. More details of this work will be announced in the coming months.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"It's great to see such progress being made to get the main demolition programme moving.
"It was always the case that safety and a carefully planned demolition process would be key to this hugely important programme, and now we're about to see that crucial work come to fruition.
"We now have BAM and their specialist subcontractors Thompsons on site every day, bringing down Computer House and preparing for the flyover to be removed.
"People rightly want to see progress, so we can then move on to the exciting regeneration of this part of the town.
"Recently we've seen announcements about Baltic Quarter, the Old Town Hall, and the Railway Quarter all benefiting from investment and developers committing to Gateshead.
"This is yet another sign of how investment in Gateshead is fundamentally driving change, creating a town centre for all - fit for the future."
Scott Beattie, Operations Manager at BAM said:
"In April we will begin the main demolition of the Gateshead Highway flyover.
"Safety and minimising disruption are at the heart of our approach. We're installing protective screens, have established dedicated haul roads, and put in place robust traffic and pedestrian management plans.
"We are working closely with Gateshead Council to keep the town moving as effectively as possible whilst the demolition takes place.
"With our partners, we are committed to delivering this complex project while supporting the wider regeneration of the town. "Our social sustainability programme is focused on delivering real benefits for the local community, from working with schools to supporting local initiatives, ensuring the project leaves a positive and lasting legacy for Gateshead."
The main work to demolish the Gateshead Highway flyover will begin in April.
Here we lay out what you can expect to see over the coming weeks and months as our contractors BAM complete the demolition of the Computer House office block, and set to work on the flyover itself.
We are expecting the demolition of the flyover to take around six months, starting in April and then to complete around October this year.
We expect to see the first section of flyover to be demolished in April will be the 'on' and 'off' ramps in the centre of the structure, just to the south of the Sunderland Road bus lane.
We've recently shared an update on the heavyweight steel props that are being placed under the flyover, to enable demolition to begin.
A total of 40 pairs of props are being placed under the flyover structure, in preparation for demolition beginning.
After the ramps come down, that will be followed by the sections of flyover sitting directly above the Sunderland Road bus lane , before the team moves further south towards Five Bridges roundabout - we expect this will be around June.
The area around Park Lane roundabout will first see works in May to prepare for demolition, but the actual demolition should take place in the summer months. We then finish with the section of flyover above the Metro tunnels in the early autumn.
Diversion routes and traffic management plans are now being finalised, to ensure we minimise disruption while the demolition is ongoing.
We are working with bus operators so they can plan their routes while work is ongoing.
The council and BAM are working closely together to minimise disruption to the travelling public and at this stage the demolition partners do not expect the Metro lines will need to close.
However, monitoring equipment has been installed in the tunnels, so if any movement beyond normal levels is detected, the council and Nexus will be alerted immediately to take action.
Full information on the road closures and diversions required will be published in the coming weeks.
We have already been planning and implementing pedestrian diversions around the flyover demolition site.
A map is being produced to show people how to divert via the Five Bridges footbridges to the south, or via the former Lindisfarne Drive road to the east of the flyover, before crossing into the town centre via the Park Lane roundabout or the subway north of the roundabout.
'Haul roads' have also been created either side of the flyover, to provide safe working platforms for the demolition contractors to use, and to remove material from the site.
Waste materials will be taken out via Park Lane roundabout and the Felling bypass and taken to Thompsons' facility at Springwell for recycling.
Buildings alongside the flyover will be protected using scaffolding 'screens' with heavy blocks to anchor them.
BAM also have an extensive social sustainability programme, working with local schools and helping to fund local projects around the flyover and Gateshead town centre. More details of this work will be announced in the coming months.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"It's great to see such progress being made to get the main demolition programme moving.
"It was always the case that safety and a carefully planned demolition process would be key to this hugely important programme, and now we're about to see that crucial work come to fruition.
"We now have BAM and their specialist subcontractors Thompsons on site every day, bringing down Computer House and preparing for the flyover to be removed.
"People rightly want to see progress, so we can then move on to the exciting regeneration of this part of the town.
"Recently we've seen announcements about Baltic Quarter, the Old Town Hall, and the Railway Quarter all benefiting from investment and developers committing to Gateshead.
"This is yet another sign of how investment in Gateshead is fundamentally driving change, creating a town centre for all - fit for the future."
Scott Beattie, Operations Manager at BAM said:
"In April we will begin the main demolition of the Gateshead Highway flyover.
"Safety and minimising disruption are at the heart of our approach. We're installing protective screens, have established dedicated haul roads, and put in place robust traffic and pedestrian management plans.
"We are working closely with Gateshead Council to keep the town moving as effectively as possible whilst the demolition takes place.
"With our partners, we are committed to delivering this complex project while supporting the wider regeneration of the town. "Our social sustainability programme is focused on delivering real benefits for the local community, from working with schools to supporting local initiatives, ensuring the project leaves a positive and lasting legacy for Gateshead."
