THE £117 million Renfrew Bridge – the first opening road bridge across the River Clyde – will open tomorrow (Friday May 9) at midday, marking the completion of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.
GRAHAM led the build of the bridge, with the project supporting more than 950 jobs and generating hundreds of subcontract and supplier opportunities, many of which were completed by local businesses.
The 184-metre, twin-leaf bridge uses a cable stay system similar to the Queensferry Crossing and provides a two-lane crossing for vehicles, pedestrians and active travel as it connects Meadowside Street in Renfrew and Dock Street in Yoker, with the ability to open for passing ships as required.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson was joined today (May 8) by Scottish Government minister for employment and investment Tom Arthur and UK Government parliamentary under-secretary of state for Scotland Kirsty McNeill, as well as partners and the local community, to formally open the bridge.
Councillor Nicolson said, “I’m delighted to see the opening of the new Renfrew Bridge as we successfully complete this transformational project which will enhance the local economy, attract new investment and developments to the riverside, and create thousands of new job opportunities for local people. It is another example of the council’s ability to deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects and the benefits will be felt immediately by road users, local residents and businesses, as well as the long-term economic boost to Renfrewshire and the Glasgow City Region.
“With this project enhancing access into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) next to Glasgow Airport, it is an exciting time for Renfrewshire and I look forward to seeing the bridge in use from tomorrow.”
In addition to the new bridge, the project has created additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes, supported by £2 milllion from Transport Scotland, including the extension of Argyll Avenue from Inchinnan Road to Meadowside Street and there will be a direct link to Yoker Railway Station from Renfrew for the first time.
The bridge and adjoining roads have also improved access for people, businesses and suppliers to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation.
Minister for employment and investment Tom Arthur said, “Renfrew Bridge’s opening is a historic moment, and it will be a welcome addition to the Clyde, creating opportunities for communities and businesses on both sides of the river and supporting 1,400 new jobs. This delivers our Programme for Government commitment to invest £1.9billion in Growth Deals, benefiting people across Scotland. Other measures include delivering 100,000 additional GP appointments by March 2026 and a ‘best in the UK’ cost-of-living guarantee, including the permanent abolition of peak rail fares.”
Jim Armour, GRAHAM’s project director, added, “The official opening of Renfrew Bridge represents the culmination of years of innovative engineering, collaborative working and community engagement. This transformational piece of infrastructure will revitalise an area that has endured industrial decline over many years.
“The twin leaf cable-stayed swing design presented unique engineering challenges, which our team overcame through innovation and value engineering. By reconfiguring the deck section and optimising the stay-cable configuration, we’ve delivered a more efficient structure with a 35% carbon reduction. We’re immensely proud to have constructed a landmark transport link that celebrates the shipbuilding heritage of the Clyde.”
