Newport Bridge reopening after vital maintenance work

Newport Bridge is set to reopen tomorrow (Thursday 28 August), in time for the new school term and associated increased peak morning and evening traffic flows.

Throughout July and August major maintenance works have been carried out on the iconic bridge.

The maintenance carried out by Balfour Beatty included bearing and top plates replacements and installation of new crash barriers for safety, which has necessitated reducing the number of carriageway lanes from two to one across the bridge from Middlesbrough to Stockton, as well as updating road markings.

The bridge will be open to all traffic from 7pm tomorrow evening.

Cllr Paul Rowling, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Resources and Transport, said: "It is great news that the bridge will be open in time for the new school term in September, and we thank residents in our Borough and in Middlesbrough for their patience while these important works were ongoing.

"The iconic Newport Bridge is a Grade II listed structure built in 1934, and due to its age requires regular maintenance works. These works are a continuation of activities that began in Summer 2024.

"Drivers are reminded that a new road layout has been implemented on the bridge, with a single lane on the northbound carriageway but maintaining both lanes on the southbound carriageway. The new road layout is needed due to the narrow lanes on and over the bridge and the positioning of the new Vehicle Restraint System."

The current maintenance project is a joint venture between Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council.