Sunderland Bridge originally carried the Great North Road (A1) across the River Wear, and probably dates back to the 14th century.

The A1 at this point was later re-designated as the A167, and Croxdale Bridge continues to carry this road.

Sunderland Bridge now carries very little road traffic after Durham County Council closed off the old route of the Great North Road at local request.

It allows access to the private Croxdale estate and a sewage works.

The bridge straddles the parishes of Brandon and Byshottles and Croxdale and Hett.