Engineers are working round the clock to find an interim solution to reinforce sections of the closed Gateshead Highway to enable Metro trains to use the tunnel underneath.
Metro services are currently suspended between Heworth and Monument as a safety precaution, following further engineering updates.
Investigations are underway to see if parts of the A167 flyover can be strengthened, so the trains can safely pass through the tunnels below the structure.
Gateshead Council engineers are working with Nexus on the feasibility of these plans, with the potential for this work to be complete early in the new year.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “The decision to close the Metro tunnel which runs underneath the Gateshead Highway was a result of our engineers’ advice, working with Nexus.
“Public safety must be the number one priority, and all precautions must be taken. We are working with our engineers and Nexus on how quickly we can get remedial work done to allow the Metro to run safely again on this route. We understand and empathise with people’s frustrations about the closure. I want to reassure residents we are doing everything we can to mitigate this situation.”
A bus replacement service is running between Heworth and Monument, and customers can stay up to date through the Pop app, Nexus website and on the official X page, formerly Twitter, @My_Metro.
Meanwhile, discussions are continuing with government ministers, the North East Combined Authority, and other key partners to secure the funding needed to demolish the A167 Gateshead Highway flyover, with plans being discussed in tandem around the regeneration of the area after that.
Councillor Gannon added: “The future of the flyover structure has been under review for some time.
“It is unsightly, costly to maintain, and it runs contrary to our vision and ambition for a vibrant Gateshead town centre and wider regeneration plans for our towns and villages.
“That is why we have over the years brought forward bids for various funding streams to help us achieve our ambition.
“We have looked at the flyover both from a regeneration perspective, as in what we want to achieve for this part of the town centre, including new housing and businesses, and purely in terms of transport infrastructure.
“To date we have not been able to secure funding which would allow us to demolish the flyover. The myriads of funding streams and the unwieldy bidding process for these have not been helpful, and we welcome new plans announced this week for such spending to be devolved to our combined authority.
“However, despite these knock backs, this has not stopped us from progressing and last year we commissioned independent structural engineers to look at the whole flyover structure and closely monitor it. It is this work which has led us to making the decision to close the highway last week, after reports showed decay beyond expected wear and tear.
“The decision to close the highway was not taken lightly but people’s safety must come first. We cannot and will not put people’s lives in danger, which would be the case if we kept the road open. That would be reckless.
“Now we have taken this step, we are in talks with Government ministers and the North East Combined Authority and other key partners on what we do next.
“We are working with the engineers on a business case for demolition, which we need to submit in the new year.
“This requires us to understand exactly what we need in terms of demolition and any regeneration plans for the area, including all the costs and timescales for such a project. This all takes time to complete but we are working at pace given the position we are now in.
“We are also reviewing whether we can partially re-open the road. Another option being looked at is whether we keep the road closed permanently in anticipation of it being demolished.
“Whatever we do next will not be a quick solution however, as this will require funding which we don’t have as a council and so need to seek elsewhere. It will also require specialist surveys, and any delays which may occur because of moving utility services, for example.
“We want to reassure our residents that this is a key priority for the council, and we are leaving no stone unturned in terms of finding as swift a solution as possible which will benefit the whole borough, businesses, and residents alike.
“If the flyover is removed, the opportunities to revitalise our town centre and bring forward developments will massively increase and that is the goal we want to aim for.
“I want to thank everyone again for their patience due to the emergency closure and for seeking alternative routes into Gateshead, whether using diversions or bus travel. We are grateful this is happening. Gateshead is still very much open for business, and it is important to ensure our businesses can still benefit from pre- and post-Christmas trade.
“We will be updating our stakeholders and residents as plans progress as feedback on what is planned will be vital in us getting what we do next right for all concerned.”
Diversions are in place around the closure of the flyover, with traffic directed to use A184 Charles Street, Prince Consort Road and B1246 Arthur Street to make journeys between north and south.
Pedestrians and cyclists still have footbridges at the southern end of the flyover, across Five Bridges roundabout, as well as a subway and two crossings at the northern end for east-west journeys.