A new footbridge is now standing proud over the A63 in Hull and has officially opened to pedestrians and cyclists.
The Porter Street footbridge is a major step forward in National Highways’ £355m scheme to improve safety and create better connections in Hull city centre.
The 37-metre emerald-green structure creates a new pedestrian route over the A63, connecting Porter Street on the north side of the major route to St James Street to the south. The footbridge is an integral part of the overall A63 Castle Street project. The scheme will support Hull’s economic growth, improve journeys to and from the city centre, and help the nearby port to thrive. Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Hessle, was there to officially open the footbridge, assisted by children from Adelaide Primary School in Hull. She said: “I am really pleased that Porter Street Bridge is now open to the public as it provides a safe passing for pedestrians and cyclists across the A63. It’s fantastic to see progress being made on the A63 Castle Street project, and with the opening of Porter Street Bridge alongside Murdoch’s Connection Bridge, you can really see it begin to take shape. I’d like to thank National Highways and all those working on it for their efforts with Porter Street Bridge and the A63 Castle Street project.” Cllr Mark Ieronimo and Emma Hardy MP officially open the Porter Street bridge Frances Oliver, National Highways Project Manager, said:
“After many months of work, we are delighted that this footbridge is now in place and officially open to the public. This has created a safer route pedestrians and cyclists crossing the A63 as well as reducing congestion in this area.
“We would like to thank our partners at Balfour Beatty and Hull City Council, with whom we have worked very closely to have this landmark new structure in place.”
This extra footbridge, close to where major improvements are being carried out to the Mytongate junction, is an integral part of the overall A63 Castle Street major project.
Phil Clifton, Balfour Beatty Managing Director, Highways said: “The opening of Porter Street footbridge marks yet another significant milestone on our journey to transform travel in Hull city centre and beyond.
“The new structure will provide the people of Hull, and surrounding communities, with safe and easy access across one of the most exciting and revolutionary infrastructure projects in the North-East for generations.”
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transportation, Roads, Highways and Flood Prevention, said:
“This new footbridge is an important addition to our road network, providing another place for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the A63 safely, while allowing the traffic to flow. “It’s great to see the Castle Street project progressing well and making people’s everyday lives that little bit easier.”
More than 500 cubic meters of concrete have created the 55-tonne footbridge’s foundation and up to 140 tonnes of steelwork have been used to build the ramp and stairs.
The bridge has been lifted into place with a 200-tonne crane. Two stair areas and seven ramp sections weighing up to 12 tonnes have been installed to the north of the A63, using a crane weighing in at 100 tonnes.
You can keep up to date on the A63 Castle Street scheme via our dedicated webpage https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/a63-castle-street/ , follow the Twitter account @HighwaysYORKS, or use National Highways’ new interactive ECHO tool: https://map.govmetric.com/A63CastleStreet
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