A NORTH-EAST bridge builder has secured a refurbishment project that will see it return to a bridge it helped construct more than 40 years ago.

Cleveland Bridge, based off Yarm Road in Darlington, will act as principal contractor in the refurbishment of the Humber Bridge, specifically a project of planned main cable inspection.

The firm will undertake the inspection of eight main cable panels, which each measure 18 metres in length, and will also deliver inspection, cable material sampling, sample preparation and associated laboratory works.

Winning the contract marks a return to the Humber Bridge where Cleveland Bridge was part of the main contractor consortium, ‘British Bridge Builders’, alongside Sir William Arrol & Co and Redpath Dorman Long, which built the bridge in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Construction of the 2,220-metre single-suspension bridge, which spans the Humber Estuary connecting the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, began in 1973 with the laying of its foundations.

It was officially opened to traffic in 1981.

Chris Droogan, managing director of Cleveland Bridge UK, said: “We are exceptionally proud to have secured this contract for the Humber Bridge, which is not only significant in the development of our bridge refurbishment and upgrade activities, but also because it sees us return to one of our prestigious UK bridge projects.

“As one of the main partners in the construction of the Humber Bridge, I am really pleased that we can again apply our experience and expertise to ensure the extension of the lifespan of this vital and impressive piece of infrastructure.”

“This project is a key element of our strategy to expand our presence in bridge refurbishment and upgrades where we can act as principal contractor, applying the talent and proficiency of our engineers and supply chain, and we are currently developing a pipeline of renewal projects for the future.”