Cleveland Bridge UK has been awarded a refurbishment contract to inspect cables on the 2.2km Humber Bridge in Humberside, northern England.

The latest contract sees the company return to the suspension bridge it helped construct more than 40 years ago.

Serving as the principal contractor, the County Durham-based company together with project manager Aecom will start the inspection of eight main cable panels, each measuring 18m in length.

Under the contract, Cleveland Bridge UK will also provide inspection, cable material sampling, sample preparation and associated laboratory works that will be carried out by its partner Cowi.

Cleveland Bridge UK managing director Chris Droogan said: “We are exceptionally proud to have secured this contract for the Humber Bridge, which is not only significant in the development of our bridge refurbishment and upgrade activities, but also because it sees us return to one of our prestigious UK bridge projects.

“I am really pleased that we can again apply our experience and expertise to ensure the extension of the lifespan of this vital and impressive piece of infrastructure.”

“As one of the main partners in the construction of the Humber Bridge, I am really pleased that we can again apply our experience and expertise to ensure the extension of the lifespan of this vital and impressive piece of infrastructure.

“This project is a key element of our strategy to expand our presence in bridge refurbishment and upgrades where we can act as principal contractor, applying the talent and proficiency of our engineers and supply chain, and we are currently developing a pipeline of renewal projects for the future.”

The single-suspension bridge connects the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Its constructions started in 1973.

Cleveland Bridge was part of the original British Bridge Builders construction consortium, together with Sir William Arrol & Co and Redpath Dorman Long, which built the crossing.

The bridge opened to traffic in 1981.