Northern Road Bridge, 2014

"Northern Road Bridge was constructed in 1927 to carry the A3 (now A397) over the railway between Portchester and Cosham Railway Stations. The bridge, owned by Portsmouth City Council, forms an important north - south route for traffic leaving and accessing Portsea Island.

1,500 vehicles use Northern Road bridge per hour at peak times. On average, 60 buses use the bridge every hour. An inspection of the bridge in 2005 showed that it was in a very poor condition and would need to be replaced.

The new bridge was officially opened in April 2014 and will benefit the community for at least the next 120 years.

Artwork, running along the length of both of the bridge's parapets is the result of artist, Elaine Tribley's collaboration with local community groups and pupils from Medina Primary School."

Portsmouth City Council

The final artwork designs were grit blasted onto the concrete parapets and painted into with a dark acrylic grey.

At the left hand end of each strip a series of polycarbonate panels in translucent colours were installed reflecting the tracks on the railway below. The largest panel was printed with information about the project in the style of a bus ticket which you can see to the left.

Book PDF

To complete the artwork solar lighting has been set into the paving casting  a spotlight on the work at regular intervals during the night time.

To accompany the project a book was published which can be purchased at BLURB. In addition souvenir rulers were printed with the 'Tomorrow's Transport' design and book marks made from recyled tyres printed with 'Behind the Wheel and Beyond' design.

A website was also set up to document the project.