Byker Metro Bridge

Byker Metro Bridge is one of three viaducts that dramatically cross the Ouseburn, a tributary of the River Tyne. Designed and constructed between 1976 to 1979 by Arup Engineers, it is the first bridge constructed from cantilevered concrete sections with glued joints (epoxy resin).

The bridge bends in plan to form a elegant s-shape which is reflected in the shape of the concrete legs which where cast in-situ. The legs of the bridge are designed to resist the centrifugal forces resulting from the curved shape of the superstructure through the distinctive arches of the legs. The train deck of the bridge was formed from pre-cast elements which are cantilevered then glued.

The bridge is 819m in length, with huge spans upto 68.9m. The bridge carries the east-west tracks of the Tyneside Metro system between Newcastle and Gateshead.