Topics > Tyne and Wear > Newcastle upon Tyne > Bridges of the Quayside > Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge carries the Tyne and Wear Metro over the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead. The bridge was purpose-built for the Metro, designed by W. A. Fairhurst & Partners. The two sections of the bridge were built simultaneously from each bank. The completed bridge was officially opened by the Queen on the 6th of November 1981. In 2007 'Nocturn', an art work and lighting scheme, was installed on the bridge.The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge carries the Tyne and Wear Metro between Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead over the River Tyne in northeast England. The line is in tunnel on either side of the river and only emerges into open air to cross the bridge.
History
The bridge was developed as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro system, for which it was purpose-built. It was designed by W. A. Fairhurst & Partners, and constructed by Cementation Construction Ltd. and the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company at a cost of £4.9 million. The two sections of the bridge were built simultaneously from each bank and eventually met in the centre. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 November 1981, nine days before regular Metro service began.
Nocturne artwork
In 2006, Nexus, operators of the Metro, commissioned artist Nayan Kulkarni to install a huge artwork on the bridge. The artwork, Nocturne, sees the bridge painted two distinct tones of blue, while at night, 140 Lumiflood 36 LED lighting units create an ever-changing pattern of colours based on photographs submitted by members of the public.
Nocturne was completed and opened on 26 April 2007 and means that all five main bridges across the Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle have unique lighting schemes.
Visit the page: Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne for references and further details. You can contribute to this article on Wikipedia.
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
065753:Construction photograph of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Unknown 1977
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
037430: Site of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, 1974
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
065716:Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne 1978
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
069291:Queen Elizabeth II Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Unknown Undated
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge and King Edward VII Bridge
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge from the Gateshead bank
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Tyne and Wear Metro
- Overview About the Tyne & Wear Metro Stations The Metro is operated by Nexus (Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority) forming a major part of the regions integrated transport network. …
Co-Curate Page
River Tyne
- Overview About the Tyne The Tyne is a major river in North East England, formed by the confluence of the River North Tyne and the River South Tyne, which converge …
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
065753:Construction photograph of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Unknown 1977
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
037430: Site of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, 1974
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
065716:Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne 1978
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
069291:Queen Elizabeth II Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Unknown Undated
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge and King Edward VII Bridge
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge from the Gateshead bank
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Tyne and Wear Metro
- Overview About the Tyne & Wear Metro Stations The Metro is operated by Nexus (Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority) forming a major part of the regions integrated transport network. …
Co-Curate Page
River Tyne
- Overview About the Tyne The Tyne is a major river in North East England, formed by the confluence of the River North Tyne and the River South Tyne, which converge …
