With the Department of Transport agreeing a £82.5m grant in December 2011, the project remains on course for construction to start in October and be complete in late 2015.
The 336m-long structure, designed by local architect Stephen Spence with engineers Techniker, would link Pallion and North Hylton. At 190m high, the new Wear bridge will be the highest in England.
The value of the construction contract is estimated as between £75m and £110m
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