GLASGOW'S newest bridge will officially open this month.
The Sighthill Bridge, which connects the North Glasgow community with the city centre, was today visited by Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken and Scottish Government business minister Ivan McKee.
Part of the £250 million regeneration of Sighthill, the structure encourages active travel with its accessible design.
It is made of Cor-Ten Steel, which will result in lower maintenance costs, and also reflects both the area's industrial heritage and the front of the local St Martin’s Primary School campus.
The bridge weighs 1000 tonnes and is 74.24 metres across.
Ms Aitken said: "For generations, this motorway has literally divided the city.
"This bridge reconnects it and does it in a way that is accessible for people walking, cycling and wheeling.
"It brings the city back together again, after all these years.
"It's incredibly important that we do that. The decision was made to invest in regenerating these North Glasgow areas in the city, which were some of the most badly hit by deindustrialisation, and building new homes.
"If you are building homes, you cannot leave the people there disconnected and isolated.
"Reconnecting these areas is hugely important and is exactly what this bridge does.
"I think it's a great design, I really love it and it is something Glaswegians will come to be really proud of.
"Its official name is the Sighthill Bridge, which was chosen by the community but knowing Glaswegians, they may as well come up with their own nickname, which I will leave to the city to decide."
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Mr McKee said: "I'm delighted to be here today to open this bridge.
"Almost everyone has seen this construction project coming on over a number of months now and the finishing touches are being put down today.
"It is hugely important and will connect the developing Sighthill area with the city centre.
"It will make it so easy to get into the city centre. You can walk or cycle and it means that people in the new development in Sighthill will be able to access the city centre very easily."
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