Newcastle High Level Bridge
Newcastle High Level Bridge is a six span, two level bridge which carries both rail and road traffic over the River Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle. The bridge, which opened in 1849, was built by Robert Stephenson and is a Grade 1 listed structure.

Constructed in 1849, the two-tier, 412m long, six-span High Level Bridge now carries two railway The Bridge is open to traffic travelling in one directionlines, road traffic, and pedestrians, across the River Tyne in the heart of Newcastle City Centre. This cast iron heritage structure, designed by Robert Stephenson, is one of Network Rail’s 'Major Structures' and provides a strategic turning loop on the East Coast Mainline.

In May 2008 the High Level Bridge reopened to the public following an extensive, £42M programme of repair and strengthening to extend the life expectancy of the structure and conserve it as an important piece of our national heritage.

As Designer for Network Rail and Contractor May Gurney, Mott MacDonald has carried out detailed inspections, structural assessments and has designed all repair and strengthening works. All works to the structure were designed to adhere with heritage and conservation engineering principles which were developed by the team in close collaboration with officers of English Heritage and Newcastle City and Gateshead Council.

Mott MacDonald also provided site support during the works which included the visual condition inspection and non destructive testing of 57,000m² of cast and wrought iron.

Full-scale fatigue testing of structural components was also undertaken in conjunction with the University of Manchester. This R&D project successfully alleviated the need for extensive strengthening of the rail deck and in 2007 won the ICE Historic Bridge and Infrastructure Awards.

The £42m refurbishment and strengthening contract included:
- Complete replacement of the suspended road deck including:

• Symapthetic installation of an alternative load path to 'fatigued' cast iron girders
• Replacement of corroded sections of original wrought iron suspension hangers
• 'Like for like' replacement of all steel cross girders
• New drainage and deck waterproofing, thereby enhancing asset sustainability
• Installation of vehicle impact protection to safeguard rail traffic
• Improved inspection and maintenace facilities

- Restoration and electrification of the original character defining lamp standards
- Extensive metalwork repairs
- Award winning R&D into the fatigue performance of cast iron
- Complete repaint of the structure in Heritage colours