Shortlist for new road crossing of River Wear, in Sunderland, is being finalised (From The Northern Echo)

Shortlist for new road crossing of River Wear, in Sunderland, is being finalised

4:12pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Tyne and Wear News

A SHORT-LIST of potential contractors for a new multi-million pound road crossing of the River Wear is being finalised, it has been revealed.

Those short-listed could be invited to tender for the new crossing over the River Wear, between Castletown and Pallion, Sunderland, later this year.

The tender is subject to final permissions being confirmed by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The update was part of a report submitted to Sunderland City council's Cabinet at its meeting today.

It follows the DfT's announcement in December that ministers had agreed to offer £82.56m towards the project.

Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Paul Watson said: "It was great news just before Christmas when the Government confirmed that it was prepared to put in the funding.

"What this report outlined is the timetable for 2012 and what is happening next as we progress the project - a project that has been widely backed in the city and across the region.

"There is already planning permission, major design work on the bridge and its approach roads has been completed, and work continues on the scheme orders."