The name has been revealed following a public vote for a suitable permanent identity for the new bridge spanning the River Wear, between Keel Square in the city centre and the Sheepfolds/Stadium of Light area of the city.
It is expected to be most heavily used on match days as a more direct crossing for football fans from the city centre to the stadium.
Thousands of residents took part in a public vote to name the city’s newest landmark, with the moniker paying homage to Sunderland’s rich shipbuilding history proving most popular.
As such, the site chosen for the new footbridge straddles what was one of the world’s most productive shipbuilding hubs during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Now, the Keel Crossing, named after a ship’s structural backbone of a ship, is set to continue building on this rich legacy.
It extends the existing Keel Line, which pays tribute to all of the vessels built on the River Wear, and connects it to the city’s sculpture trail.
Three new shipyard sculptures were unveiled on the riverside trail earlier this year.
“We received hundreds of suggestions and I am pleased that we have settled upon a name which is not only memorable and simple but also encapsulates the rich history of this part of the city.
“In Keel Crossing, we have a name which not only nods to the city’s rich shipbuilding history but also the direction we’re heading in, as we continue to transition from a town forged by the heavy industries of yesteryear to a modern, vibrant city of the future.”
The bridge is being built by VolkerStevin on behalf of the council, and is said to be, “a central pillar” in the development of Sunderland’s Riverside area, which is considered to be one of the UK’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects.
Spanning 260 metres, and 10m wide, at a height of 30m above the river, the footbridge is one of several high-profile developments now under construction at Riverside Sunderland.
The public is said to have played a key role in naming the bridge, sharing ideas, which were then whittled down to three options by a selection of community representatives, who chose simple, memorable names from which the public could select.
Coun Mordey added: “Riverside Sunderland is one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious urban regeneration projects, creating homes and workspace for thousands of people, as well as new leisure facilities and public amenities, and the Keel Crossing is a central pillar of this project.
“Connecting the Keel Line to the Sheepfolds area of the city, it will extend the city centre footprint by making developments such as the Stadium of Light, HICSA, National Esports Arena and Sheepfolds Housing more accessible than ever before.
“It will also provide a major boost to the thousands of people each and every year who will head to football matches and events at the stadium.
“It’s an important infrastructure to support our Premier League club.
“I think I speak for every fan when I say I can’t wait to see the spectacle of the Keel Crossing being transformed into a sea of red and white shirts and scarfs come matchdays.
“It will be a real sight to behold.”
Sunderland’s first match following promotion back to the Premier League will be in mid-August.
Whether it will be a home or away game will not be known until the new season’s fixtures are announced on Wednesday (June 18).
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The club does, however, have a scheduled pre-season home friendly fixture against Spanish club Real Betis, of Seville, on Saturday August 2.
Sunderland is also staging the opening game of the Women’s Rugby Union World Cup, when England’s ‘Red Roses’ take on the USA at the stadium on the evening of Friday August 22.
Further information on Sunderland’s Riverside development can be found by visiting: https://riversidesunderland.com/, the scheme’s dedicated website.
