THE formal opening of the Govan – Partick Bridge in Glasgow is to take place on September 6.
The crossing will be opened by ministers from the Scottish and UK governments, the leader of Glasgow City Council, and local school children.
The £29.5 million Glasgow city region city deal project – led by Farrans Construction – re-establishes the historic connection between Govan and Partick, with the bridge crossing between Water Row on the south side and Pointhouse Quay on the north.
Following the opening of the bridge, there will be celebratory community events on both banks of the Clyde that weekend – the Clydebuilt Festival will take place on the north bank on September 7 and 8 beside the Riverside Museum, with the Footbridge Festival on the south bank at Water Row, Govan Cross and Govan Road, on September 7.
The bridge is significant economically, environmentally, and socially through the link it will provide not only between communities, but also a number of visitor attractions and institutions of national economic importance. The crossing is also a central part of the active travel route between the University of Glasgow’s campus at Gilmorehill and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Representing one of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe, the bridge has a width of six metres and two spans – the moving span, which weighs 650 tonnes, is 99 metres-long and uses the south pier (at Water Row) as its access; and the fixed span, which weighs 45 tonnes and is 15.7 metres-long.
In addition to the construction of the fabricated steel cable stayed opening swing bridge, the project – which began in April 2022 – also featured demolition of a section of masonry/concrete quay wall and access stairs at Water Row in Govan.
Construction of a sheet piled quay wall and infilling to finished ground level to extend Pointhouse Quay to form the north bridge landing, access ramp and public realm was also delivered, as well as the build of a reinforced concrete abutment/quay wall and infilling of the disused Govan Ferry Inlet at Water Row in Govan to form the south landing; and construction of bridge approach ramps, retaining walls, provision of drainage and public realm at the north and south bridge landings.
Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow city region cabinet, said, “September will be a milestone in the modern history of these two great communities. It will also be a milestone for Glasgow and the wider city-region.
“Our riverside and the communities either side of it are home to the biggest economic opportunities in Europe, but also many of Scotland’s biggest social challenges. Reconnecting Govan and Partick can help unlock the potential along the Clyde, create more opportunities for the people who live and work there, and continue the transformation of these areas. Glaswegians often tell us how they would like to see the Clyde having a more prominent role in the life of the city. This new riverside landmark does just that.”
Project Scotland spoke to Farrans Construction project manager, David Buchanan, last year on the delivery of the Govan – Partick Bridge. To read the article, click here.
