by Iain Lundy, Evening Times
A major project to rejuvenate part of Glasgow city centre
is on course to be completed by the end of the year.
And the latest bridge across the Clyde - which has been dogged
by troubles and delays - is expected to be ready for use by Spring
of next year.
Planners say the £33million scheme to improve the riverside at
Tradeston and Broomielaw will make the area more attractive.
A footbridge - dubbed the Squiggly Bridge because of its unusual
S-shaped design - will be on the stretch of the river between
Dalmarnock and the Science Centre.
It will link the Broomielaw, now part of the International
Financial Services District (IFSD), with Tradeston which is being
rejuvenated as a desirable place to live.
Already there are signs the improvement on both banks and the
bridge, officially called the Tradeston Bridge, can be seen taking
shape at last.
Its progress- and the news it will be ready by Spring - will
come as a major relief after repeated reports the project was in
difficulty.
In 2006, councillors scrapped plans for the bridge when costs
soared to £60m.
Designers were told to go back to the drawing board and come up
with a simpler design that would be cheaper.
Then last September it emerged preparatory work on the southern
bank quay walls was running six months late after they
collapsed.
Earlier this year it was reported the bridge - originally due to
be in place by October - could come in a full year late due to
wranglings between contractors.
The dispute resulted in only a fraction of the steel needed
being ordered.
But a council spokesman said today confirmed the bridge is now
on track to be completed by next Spring.
He added: "Progress with both aspects of the project is
satisfactory and the end result will be a high quality development
which will complement the continuing success of the IFSD and the
regeneration of the Clyde."
He said both banks of the river were being surfaced in a high
quality natural stone which continued the theme begun by the paving
of the streets in the financial district.
There will also be high quality parapets and street lighting
with some seating areas and feature trees.
Most of the work being done is not immediately visible such as
strengthening the quay walls and installing flood prevention and
drainage systems. But road surfacing and the laying of walkways
along the banks is progressing.
Pilings and bridge supports are now visible and a crane has been
carrying out the work to strengthen the quay wall.
A temporary jetty has also been put in place on the north bank.
The bridge spans just over 106 metres and two piers in the river
split the crossing into three spans - 29, 51 and 26 metres.
It is seen not only as a key part of the overall regeneration of
the Clyde and the IFSD but also of Tradeston - providing a link by
foot to the city centre.
Future work there will see apartment blocks, offices and shops,
restaurants, bars, a creche and a fitness suite.
Tradeston saw a downturn in its fortunes with the demise of the
shipbuilding industry.
Its rebirth as a residential area is being plotted by Irish
developers John and Noel Smyth, fresh from successful work at
Dublin's Docklands.
Councillor George Ryan said: "This new bridge and the public
space around it will be the next step in the regeneration of the
Clydeside.
"The project will make the IFSD even more attractive to business
and create a pleasant environment for visitors to the Clydeside as
well as a new link between the city centre and Tradeston."
The bridge will be the first over the Clyde to be opened since
the ill-fated Clyde Arc - or Squinty Bridge.
A year after it opened the £20m structure had to be closed for
six months when one of its supporting cables crashed on to the
road.
Reproduced with the permission of The Evening Times (Glasgow) ©
Newsquest (Herald & Times) Ltd.