A NEW £117m bridge can be the catalyst for major employment and investment after putting a city firmly on the international map, it has been claimed.

Work on Sunderland’s Wear Crossing cranked up a notch yesterday when a 100-metre pylon centrepiece was towed up the river.

And Sunderland City Council’s project director, David Abdy, told The Northern Echo its presence had great significance, saying it highlighted not only the development’s grand scale but also its long-term potential.

The bridge, the first to be erected over the River Wear in more than 40 years, is due to open in 2018.

Linking Castletown to the north of the river with Pallion on the south, Mr Abdy said it will provide scope for regeneration of land along the riverbank, which could see existing companies expand or new firms move into the city.

Highlighting the potential for Sunderland-based car maker Nissan’s supply chain to grow, he said the crossing would complement ongoing work to re-develop the former Vaux brewery in what officials say is the first speculative office space to be built in many years in the city.

Mr Abdy also revealed housing plans are at an advanced stage, adding the bridge will alleviate congestion making it easier for commuters and businesses to access Sunderland.

He told the Echo: “This is a big staging post in the project.

“The bridge represents a strong investment in infrastructure - it is an investment for the future and making Sunderland more attractive as a place to invest in.

“This puts Sunderland on the international map; the bridge is just one part of it, but it’s an important part and one that people will remember.

“It really does open up lots of regeneration sites to make them more attractive to do something with.

“The south side of the river has, for years and years, been waiting for something to happen but there are opportunities now right across the bank.

“It’s becoming tangible now.”

The bridge’s huge pylon left Greenwells Quay at the Port of Sunderland at about 5am yesterday morning, arriving on site at 7am.

It is due to be raised into place in the coming weeks.

Stephen McCaffrey, project director for the Farrans Victor Buyck joint venture, which is delivering the project on behalf of the council, said the move went well.

He said: “We needed to transport the pylon during a specific tidal window and unfortunately that meant taking it up the river during the early hours. “However, there will be plenty of opportunities for people to see the pylon in the weeks and months ahead.”