The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East has led a visit by MPs and senior regional politicians to the New Tyne Crossing.
Arranged jointly by the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Infrastructure and Underground Spaces were joined by North East council leaders for the tour and also received a presentation on the project, its construction and the benefits it will offer the region.
The New Tyne Crossing, being constructed by TT2, is arguably one of the most significant projects to shape the infrastructure of the North East for many years.
The second tunnel is being built to reduce congestion on this route and is scheduled to open in February 2011. The existing tunnel will then be refurbished before it is re-opened in December 2011 at which point it will be used exclusively by northbound traffic while the new tunnel will carry traffic heading south of the river tyne.
Stephen Larkin, regional director, ICE North East, said: “This is one of the most important infrastructure projects the North East has seen for some time, so there continues to be huge interest from the public and politicians alike.
“In April, ICE’s president, Paul Jowitt, was part of a tour into the tunnel and the developments which have taken place since then are immense. The New Tyne Crossing is very impressive, indeed.”
Stephen added: “ICE North East is regularly pressing for infrastructure improvements to help the region’s economy. I hope that this visit has helped raise awareness of not only the good that is being done here, but also the need for related work at the intersections both North and South of the two tunnels to be carried out much sooner than is currently being proposed.”
Trevor Jackson, Managing Director of TT2, the New Tyne Crossing Concessionaire, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the All Parliamentary Group of MPs and our regional politicians to site. The New Tyne Crossing will transform the way people move through the region. It will open up the A19 economic corridor and I have no doubt it will play a significant part in the region’s regeneration. I hope that showcasing the project to our decision makers will help to ensure that future schemes such as the Silverlink improvements and other A19 junctions are encouraged and supported.”