The £20 million Clyde Arc Bridge is now open. Linking Anderston on the North bank to Plantation, Kinning Park and Govan on the Southside of the River Clyde, the iconic 96 metre spanned arch brings traffic from Finnieston Street directly into the Media Park at Pacific Quay.

It was opened jointly by Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow Chairman Willie Haughey on September 18. A cavalcade of vehicles reflecting transport through the ages made the crossing to christen the bridge.

On the Doors Open weekend immediately before the opening, an estimated 3000 people crossed the bridge to get the unique experience of walking on the four lane highway. On the Sunday evening the bridge was closed except to residents from both sides of the river so that they could enjoy a massive street party on the deck. The ‘thank you’ to them ended with a firework display and the donations received for the food and soft drinks being dispensed raised £2000 for the Glasgow Simon community, a charity helping people out of homelessness.

As soon as traffic started using the crossing, pedestrians and wheelchair users were restricted to the footpath. This is the first new vehicular crossing of the River Clyde in the city since the Kingston Bridge opened 35 years ago.

The bridge is unusual because it crosses the river on a significantly skewed alignment which was dictated by the availability of suitable land on the south side. Much to the chagrin of bridge builders, Edmund Nuttall Ltd, Glaswegians have fondly dubbed it ‘the Squinty Bridge’.

The arch was fabricated in three sections off site from steel plate and welded together in place over the river. Foundations are piled to rock 30 metres below the river bed.

The £20.3 million funding came from Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. Said Willie Haughey OBE, ‘Getting this bridge open on time and on budget is a key milestone in the regeneration of this part of the river. Work to turn Pacific Quay into the city’s media and creative industry quarter is pushing ahead. This crossing will open up the site and the surrounding area to new development and investment opportunities.’

Steven Purcell, whose speech was interrupted by west end residents protesting about on street parking costs, added, ‘This structure is a symbol of the ongoing regeneration of the Clyde. The city’s skyline has changed dramatically in recent years with record investment bringing more jobs then ever before and a real opportunity for everyone to share in our economic success story. The bridge connects once derelict banks of the river to new and thriving neighbourhoods which have become the catalyst for a city-wide renaissance.’

Already the STV headquarters building, which is adjacent to the Clyde Arc at Pacific Quay, is in full use. The BBC Scotland HQ further down river will open next year and film and media companies are already operating into the area.

Nuttall’s Divisional Director for Scotland, James Scobie later said, ‘We are delighted the new crossing has delivered the dramatic visual impact we envisaged. What is not so readily apparent is the creativity, engineering innovation and detailed planning that allowed us to complete the construction process quickly, safely and with minimal impact on the environment.’

Iain Salisbury, Project Director at designers Halcrow commented, ‘The final blueprint is a simple, classic design which reflects Glasgow’s reputation as a City with Style.’