An impressive new 604ft bridge has opened to traffic – the first in nearly two decades to cross this major river in Scotland. The Renfrew Bridge, linking the Renfrewshire town with Yoker and Clydebank on the north bank, crosses the River Clyde – the ninth longest in the UK and the third longest in Scotland. It also runs through the city of Glasgow.
The Renfrew Bridge was officially opened on Friday (May 9), signalling the completion of the £117 million project. The bridge is hoped to boost local employment opportunities, with predictions of up to 1,400 new jobs and increased investment along the riverside area.
The £117 million development, constructed by civil engineers Graham and led by Renfrewshire Council, received significant funding from both the Scottish and UK governments – £39 million each, as well as an additional £1.7 million from Transport Scotland.
The 604ft (184m) bridge is a twin-leaf cable-stayed bridge, with two lanes for vehicles alongside pedestrian and active travel routes. Each span is 92m long, making it one of the world’s largest bridges of its kind. The forward span stretches 65 metres, while the back span stretches 27 metres.
The most impressive feature, however, is one similar to London’s iconic Tower Bridge.
The Renfrew Bridge is the first road crossing the River Clyde that can open to allow large ships to pass. The spans are gear-driven and operated by an electro-hydraulic system, capable of swinging each span 110 degrees open for marine vessel passage.
The large bridge sections were manufactured in the Netherlands before being transported by barge last spring. Work started on site in May 2022.
An opening ceremony event took place on Thursday. Children from primary schools on both sides of the river met in the middle. Members of the public, cyclists and dog walkers then poured across the bridge for the first time, ahead of the full opening.
Until now, the only way to cross the river at Renfrew was by using a small ferry that carries pedestrians and cyclists for a small fee. The ferry has been operating for around a century and will continue to operate, though the impact the new bridge will have on its future is yet to be established.
The leader of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, said the bridge would bring major benefits for businesses and people living on both sides of the river: “It will connect all the communities around with regards to employment and economic development.
“They’ll be able to travel across it, reach where they want to go – employment, Braehead shopping centre, Glasgow – quicker and faster. It will bring the communities together.”