Northern Road Bridge was constructed in 1927 to carry the A3 (now A397) over the railway between Portchester and Cosham Railway Stations. The bridge, owned by Portsmouth City Council, forms an important north - south route taking through traffic from the shopping areas at Cosham High Street.
Northern Road is a critical route for buses and commuters carrying approximately 60 buses per hour in either direction and a vast amount of vehicles on a regular basis.
An inspection was undertaken in February 2005 that revealed the condition of the bridge to be very poor and further inspections were carried out at intervals throughout the year each year.
The bridge was suffering from crumbling concrete and was not as strong as it once was so to help it last longer, the road was made narrower so there was only a single lane in each direction.
After a successful bid for £11m from the government's Department for Transport (DfT) to replace the bridge, work started on the new bridge which will enable the original width of the highway to be reinstated.
The new bridge will benefit the community for the next 120 years, and it's the community it serves who will be part of the process of designing a public artwork which will run along both sides animating the concrete parapets and giving the bridge it's own unique identity.
Artist, Elaine Tribley, will be working with different community groups across the area including Medina Primary School, businesses at Lakeside North Harbour and Portmouth's Youth Parliament. If you would like to be involved please email; [email protected] or telephone 07775 744276.
Northern Road is a critical route for buses and commuters carrying approximately 60 buses per hour in either direction and a vast amount of vehicles on a regular basis.
An inspection was undertaken in February 2005 that revealed the condition of the bridge to be very poor and further inspections were carried out at intervals throughout the year each year.
The bridge was suffering from crumbling concrete and was not as strong as it once was so to help it last longer, the road was made narrower so there was only a single lane in each direction.
After a successful bid for £11m from the government's Department for Transport (DfT) to replace the bridge, work started on the new bridge which will enable the original width of the highway to be reinstated.
The new bridge will benefit the community for the next 120 years, and it's the community it serves who will be part of the process of designing a public artwork which will run along both sides animating the concrete parapets and giving the bridge it's own unique identity.
Artist, Elaine Tribley, will be working with different community groups across the area including Medina Primary School, businesses at Lakeside North Harbour and Portmouth's Youth Parliament. If you would like to be involved please email; [email protected] or telephone 07775 744276.