Edinburgh's North Bridge has fully reopened after eight years of restoration work. The Category A-listed bridge, which links the Old and New towns of the capital, first began work in 2018 to help safeguard its long-term use.
The bridge has now been completely restored and all four lanes of traffic were operational again on Friday evening. The pavements across the bridge opened earlier in the week.
The original cost of the project was expected to be £22m, but the final cost is expected to be in the region of £86m.
Work to the bridge, which was built in 1897, included grit blasting and repainting all of the structural steelwork, hand finishing the cast iron facade and installing an access platform for future works. Final completion of the project is expected later this year, but this work will take place below street level and should not create disruption to the public.
How did the council describe the project?
Edinburgh City Council's transport convener, Stephen Jenkinson, said:
"This reopening is all the more welcome given the busy time of year, and the wider travel disruption we're currently experiencing as a result of the fire on Princes Street.
He added:
"Make no mistake, this has been one of the most complex and ambitious projects the council has ever undertaken.
He also said:
"When work first began, some areas of the bridge hadn't seen the light of day in over a century, and few could've imagined the scale of the challenge we faced."
What is the bridge's history?
The bridge was constructed almost 130 years ago by Sir William Arroll & Co, the Glasgow firm which also built the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge in London. The last major refurbishment was in 1933 and some areas of the structure had not been accessed since the bridge had been completed.
Parts were found in much worse condition than expected, which - along with the Covid pandemic - contributed to the delay.
Key Facts
- North Bridge links Edinburgh's Old and New towns.
- Restoration work began in 2018 and has now fully reopened.
- All four lanes were operational again on Friday evening, with pavements opening earlier in the week.
- The final cost is expected to be about £86m, up from an original estimate of £22m.
- The bridge was built in 1897 and last majorly refurbished in 1933.
