Residents were "buzzing" over the arrival and installation of the first two sections of a new footbridge, a councillor said.

The final sections of the New Wear Footbridge arrived in Sunderland on Saturday (August 31), representing a major milestone in the development of the city’s newest landmark.

The two steel sections - 63m and 105 metres respectively - set sail from the Belgian city of Ghent on Wednesday, August 28 and arrived at the Port of Sunderland three days later.

“Seeing the barge arrive with the first sections and then sail upriver beyond the Wearmouth bridge was a spectacle in itself, never mind the incredible feat of engineering to lift and assemble the parts thereafter, so we are looking forward to seeing a repeat, as the final sections are carefully lifted into place,” said Councillor Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council.

One of two massive sections of the New Wear Footbridge arrives in SunderlandOne of two massive sections of the New Wear Footbridge arrives in Sunderland (Image: CREO COMMS)

Expected to open in time for summer 2025, once completed the bridge will stand as the centrepiece of the Riverside Sunderland development, one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects.

The bridge should also provide a major boost to local businesses, with a new residential neighbourhood being created north of the river.

Cllr Johnson, who said there had been a "real buzz around the city", described the importance of new structure as “bridging Sunderland’s past and future”.

There was a 'real buzz' around Sunderland with the arrival of two huge sections of bridgeThere was a 'real buzz' around Sunderland with the arrival of two huge sections of bridge (Image: CREO COMMS)

The bridge will connect a series of developments across both sides of the River Weir including new offices, homes, and parks.

Cllr Johnson said: “the New Wear Footbridge is central to all of that. It’s arguably one of the most exciting periods in the city’s rich history.”

Once the weather permits, the two parts will be shipped upriver to Wearmouth Bridge to be installed by lead contractor VolkerStein on the site of the New Wear Footbridge.

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Mike Rimmer, senior project manager at VolkerStevin, said: “This is another pivotal moment and major milestone in the development of the city’s newest landmark, and we are extremely proud to be a part of this monumental project.”

The new Sunderland bridge has been described as 'one of the most exciting periods in the city’s rich history'The new Sunderland bridge has been described as 'one of the most exciting periods in the city’s rich history' (Image: CREO COMMS)

He added: “The team are now preparing the site ready to lift the two sections into place, it will be another exciting moment to see and get these two final sections of the bridge into place.”

At 10 metres wide and spanning 250m, height of 30m above the river, the New Wear Bridge is one of seven high-profile developments currently under construction at Riverside Sunderland, among the UK’s most ambitious regeneration project.