Keel Crossing
Keel Crossing | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°54′37″N 1°23′14″W / 54.910302°N 1.387303°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians and cyclists |
| Crosses | River Wear |
| Locale | Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England |
| Owner | Sunderland City Council |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 250 metres (820 ft) |
| Width | 10 metres (33 ft) |
| Height | 30 metres (98 ft) |
| History | |
| Designer | Arup |
| Constructed by | VolkerStevin (main contractor) |
| Construction start | 2023 (approved) |
| Construction end | ongoing |
| Construction cost | £31,000,000 |
| Opened | Late 2025 (expected) |
| Location | |
Keel Crossing is a pedestrian and cycle footbridge under construction in Sunderland that is due to be opened in 2025. It spans the River Wear, linking Keel Square in the city centre to the Sheepfolds neighbourhood on the north bank, near the Stadium of Light. The footbridge is part of the £500 million Riverside Sunderland regeneration scheme and is intended to improve connectivity across the river, especially on Sunderland A.F.C. match days, by providing an alternative crossing to the Wearmouth Bridge. The bridge has a total span of about 250m, stands roughly 30m above the river, and has a deck width of 10m. The project cost is about £31 million and the bridge is expected to open in 2025. The official name Keel Crossing, given on 11 June 2025, honours Sunderland’s shipbuilding heritage (the “keel” being the backbone of a ship).