Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge UK (www.clevelandbridge.com), a global leader in the design and construction of steel bridges, has secured a project to manufacture a new structure in South Tyneside.

As part of Highways England’s improvement scheme for the Testos Roundabout on the 19 at West Boldon, the company has been awarded a contract by Costain Ltd to fabricate and install a 141.4m-long bridge that will be at the centre of a new flyover.

Two additional lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides of the roundabout have already been completed.

The bridge will be fabricated as a series of 25 paired girders at Cleveland Bridge UK’s 27,000m2 production facility, which is 40 miles south of the project site.

The company’s pedigree in the production of steel road bridges for major infrastructure projects dates back to its formation in 1877.

It is renowned for producing structures ranging from the iconic Tyne Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and the largest road improvement project in England — the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon.

Chris Droogan, Cleveland Bridge UK’s managing director, said: “We are highly active in markets around the world, but it is always satisfying to secure projects in our home region of the North East, particularly those that will bring significant benefits to the efficiency of the area’s transport network.

"We are also very proud to continue our long-term collaborative relationships with Highways England and Costain, and we look forward to the successful delivery of this project.”