Keel Crossing [opened 18.10.25] - compendium thread

[Chewit]

I'm still calling the new bridge, the new bridge. So I'm going to call the new new bridge, the new new bridge.

Is the SOL still the new stadium

Aye but don't forget the full length of the Wearmouth Bridge is in Sunderland whereas only half the length of the Tyne Bridge is in Newcastle.

So on that basis our bridge is wider and longer than theirs

Genius … they don’t even own their own full bridge

 

[AmblerThorn]

Wonder how many nominations "the new bridge" and "the footbridge" got

Bet there was a few. Amazing the panel didn't go with them

 

[Tuono]

The Tyne bridge construction started two years earlier, GOM! In 1925.

Edit: Wearmouth bridge is grade 2 listed anyway. I guess we'll have to build one alongsde it!

Depends how you class started. Wearmouth bridge started with the demolition of the old bridge, the Tyne bridge was started after demolition started of the old Wearmouth bridge but the Tyne bridge was finished a year before the completion of the new Wearmouth Bridge.
What came first, the chicken or the egg.

 

[Dundas street kid]

I think the crossing part of the name will often be dropped, so people will just say "Should we gan ower Keel?" or "You going across Keel?" etc

Or if someone is pissed and has to be dragged over by his/her mates will they be classed as keelhauled

 

[Wearson]

Depends how you class started. Wearmouth bridge started with the demolition of the old bridge, the Tyne bridge was started after demolition started of the old Wearmouth bridge but the Tyne bridge was finished a year before the completion of the new Wearmouth Bridge.
What came first, the chicken or the egg.

I’m sure if you look at photos of the current Wearmouth Bridge under construction, the old bridge can be seen still standing underneath.
It’s even said that traffic still went over it during the construction of the new bridge.

 

[ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK]

Depends how you class started. Wearmouth bridge started with the demolition of the old bridge, the Tyne bridge was started after demolition started of the old Wearmouth bridge but the Tyne bridge was finished a year before the completion of the new Wearmouth Bridge.
What came first, the chicken or the egg.

I’m sure if you look at photos of the current Wearmouth Bridge under construction, the old bridge can be seen still standing underneath.
It’s even said that traffic still went over it during the construction of the new bridge.

Realistically, I couldn't give a toss who did what first or what is bigger as I find the historical part of it all interesting for both. This is a canny look at the Wearmouth Bridge and other stuff (great website about the history of Sunderland).

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I didn't even know about the medieval Tyne Bridge that was built in 1270 after the Roman wooden one was damaged by fire in 1248, repaired but then destroyed in 1256.

But as some said, it was half and half

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A new stone bridge across the Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead was built in 1270 AD, replacing an earlier bridge which was destroyed by a fire in 1248. The stone arched bridge was built on the site of the former Roman bridge, it was built jointly by the Town of Newcastle and the Bishop of Durham. A blue stone on the bridge marked the boundary between the town of Newcastle and the Palatinate of the Bishop of Durham, between arches 6 and 7 from the north. The bridge had towers with portcullises at each end, and there was a chapel, shops and houses along the bridge, and even at one time, a temporary prison.

More historical blurb here about the medieval bridge

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[small mythos]

Also a big problem on North Bridge Street at the Wheatsheaf, surprised nobody has been badly hurt there

Also as you come out from St Peter’s metro station to cross over to the less busy side of wearmouth bridge

 

[ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK]

Depends how you class started. Wearmouth bridge started with the demolition of the old bridge, the Tyne bridge was started after demolition started of the old Wearmouth bridge but the Tyne bridge was finished a year before the completion of the new Wearmouth Bridge.
What came first, the chicken or the egg.

I’m sure if you look at photos of the current Wearmouth Bridge under construction, the old bridge can be seen still standing underneath.
It’s even said that traffic still went over it during the construction of the new bridge.

Just tried ChatGPT and told it to modernise this image so that it looks like it was taken today. It's not perfect but it's mad how it changes the image so much seeing it this way.

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[Hulkenburger]

Original Wearmouth Bridge without the arch was built in 1796.

Designed by Thomas Paine of all people, makes me a bit sad it's not still around.

 

[EDGE]

I wonder if the current foundations are the same ones as the original? Think the individual stones are much bigger currently.

 

[ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK]

I wonder if the current foundations are the same ones as the original? Think the individual stones are much bigger currently.

Click the 1st image below to go to Flickr and keep clicking left here. In the 2nd image below you can see remnants of the old bridge as the new bridge is being built over it. Click the links to see the images if higher detail with zoom feature.

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This still has the old bridge underneath with abutments either side of river but still hasn't got the pedestrian parts on either side of the bridge but you see it in the other photos bring built.

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It's a shame the images aren't in order as you can click this image below and the click the right side to see more images that are after the ones above. You can also see more of the old bridge surface on some of the photos.

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Starting to knock the old abutment down

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[RestlessNatives]

Another very similar one to what you've seen before but a lot of progress on the Eye Infirmary.

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[dancingradio]

Another very similar one to what you've seen before but a lot of progress on the Eye Infirmary.

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They are cracking on with that paving quick. You can see the route they are planning for people coming over the bridge, will be packed i reckon as you can see the work on et building will start soon and hoarding going up so its going to be everyone funnelled in one path

 

[PTR]

Its much wider than I'd assumed it was, that's good.
Anyone know when its due to open? Thinking about an all-dayer when I get this DIY project finished, and wouldn't mind starting at Sheefolds, then heading over.

 

[dancingradio]

Its much wider than I'd assumed it was, that's good.
Anyone know when its due to open? Thinking about an all-dayer when I get this DIY project finished, and wouldn't mind starting at Sheefolds, then heading over.

I imagine they are aiming for the first home game

 

[Weremuthe]

Wonder how many nominations "the new bridge" and "the footbridge" got

Bet there was a few. Amazing the panel didn't go with them

The Footy Bridge has a ring about it! But footy can also mean cheap.

 

[Wearson]

The Footy Bridge has a ring about it! But footy can also mean cheap.

It will be called the footbridge imo.
I can’t see anyone saying “Keel Crossing” tbh.

 

[Ohnonotagain]

It says the bridge will be ready for the women’s rugby. Does that mean it won’t be ready for the ‘Wist Am?’

 

[NGPost]

It was actually built before the Tyne Bridge to prove the design worked. Then the Tyne Bridge itself was a trial for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. All basically the same bridge in increasing size.

Tyne bridge started 1925 finished in 1928
Wearmouth bridge started 1927 finished in 1929

 

[Tuono]

Tyne bridge started 1925 finished in 1928
Wearmouth bridge started 1927 finished in 1929

There seems to be a lot of conflicting information on the timing of the two bridges. The finishing date always shows the skinny bridge (tyne) was completed before Wearmouth bridge but starting times seem to differ a lot. The one I read years ago had Wearmouth bridge starting first with the demolition of the existing bridge and the Tyne bridge starting later but being finished before Wearmouth bridge. I took this as gospel but apparently it isn't.