Glasgow’s iconic new £20 million river crossing, the Clyde Arc, is open for business.
Funded by Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and Glasgow City Council the bridge provides the first new city centre traffic crossing over the river for more than 30 years. The four lane bridge links Finnieston near the SECC on the north bank, to the Pacific Quay site on the south side.
The distinctive arched structure provides a new landmark on the river and is a key link in the continued regeneration of the Clyde Waterfront.
Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, chairman, Willie Haughey OBE said: “Getting this bridge open on time and on budget is a key milestone in the regeneration of this part of the river. Work to turn Pacific Quay into the city’s media and creative industry quarter is pushing ahead and this crossing will open up the site and the surrounding area to new development and investment opportunities.
“The Clyde Arc bridge is visual evidence of both the crucial role we can play in developing the city economy and the regeneration potential that’s now being realised along the length of the river.”
Glasgow City Council is the key partner in the redevelopment of the river and has been instrumental in the successful completion of the bridge. At the opening ceremony, Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This is an iconic structure and a symbol of the ongoing regeneration of the Clyde. Glasgow’s skyline has changed dramatically in recent years, with record investment bringing more jobs than ever before and a real opportunity for everyone to share in our economic success story.
One of the key features of the 140 metre span is the capability to cope with a light transport system, such as a tram, in the future. It was designed by the Halcrow Group and was built by Kilsyth based civil engineering contractor Edmund Nuttall Ltd.