00:00Taking down a major urban flyover is never simple, but in Gateshead engineers say this
00:05project is unusually complex and delicate. The A167 structure has been shot for many months,
00:12after inspectors raised serious concerns about its safety and long-term stability.
00:16At its peak the flyover carried tens of thousands of vehicles each day,
00:20linking key routes across the town and into Newcastle, so its sudden closure forced widespread
00:26changes to local travel patterns and journey times. Now demolition is underway, using heavy
00:32machinery to break the concrete apart piece by piece rather than any form of controlled explosion
00:37which was ruled out due to nearby buildings, roads and rail tunnels. The bridge sits above two large
00:43roundabouts and close to homes, shops and a school, while Tynanwy Metro trains pass through tunnels
00:49directly underneath, adding further engineering constraints and safety checks.
00:53One key challenge is the bridge design itself, which is balanced through its centre, meaning
00:59teams must remove sections evenly from both sides to avoid instability or collapse. Another is the
01:05network of steel cables inside the concrete which remain under tension and require careful handling
01:10as sections are dismantled and supported. Road closures and diversions are expected at different
01:16stages, with councils advising people to plan journeys carefully. Engineers say sensors are in place to
01:22detect even the smallest movement near the metro tunnels, allowing work to stop immediately in the case of any risk.
01:29الْقَوْ
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