The first new road bridge across the River Avon in Bristol for more than 100 years swung into place this week – opening up the development site that will be home to the city’s long-awaited arena.
The £11.3m, 63-tonne steel bridge will connect the previously isolated Arena Island to the rest of the city via Cattle Market Road near Temple Meads.
That will allow construction traffic to enter the site to start work on the 12,000-capacity arena, which is due to open in 2017.
Bristol Mayor George Ferguson called the completion of the bridge – which has been funded by Homes and Communities Agency, “transformational” for the city.
It would spark the regeneration of the gateway area next to Temple Meads station, he said – ending the “scene of dereliction” that confronts visitors as they step off the train.
David Warburton, regional head of the Homes and Communities Agency, said the Arena Island Bridge formed part of the HCA’s wider investment in 173-acre Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK designed to support local businesses and boost innovation in the city.
The Enterprise Zone, stretching from the Paintworks to Bristol Temple Meads has created 2,000 jobs in just three years and is home to the highest number of start-up businesses in any of England’s core cities.
The tubular steel bridge, which has been assembled on site from 135 sections by specialist Italian firm Cimolai, will be fully completed by mid-February next year with 3.5m-wide pedestrian and bike lanes on either side. The main contractor on the site is Sisk.
The bridge’s original design was for three lanes of traffic but this has been reduced to two to make space for trees and climbing plants across its structure.
Once the arena is completed it will become the main entrance to the arena site for visitors – although no vehicles other than those used by disabled visitors, performers or VIPs will be allowed across.
