[5][6] The original Surtees Bridge (1981) was a concrete and steel structure built by The Cementation Company[7][8] with dual two lane carriageways, four intermediate piers, five spans and was 145 m long with 125 m between abutments.

[5][6] The bridge problems were caused by underestimations of the depth of the soft alluvial layers on the eastern bank, and secondly overestimation of the rate at which the ground would consolidate during construction which led to the assumption that the settlement of the eastern abutment would be largely over by the time the abutment was complete – instead significant settlement was to continue on after construction.

[5] The Highways Agency decided on a rebuild for the following reasons: settlement of the eastern abutment and embankment, lateral displacement of the piled foundation, the need to widen the bridge to three lanes to accommodate feeder roads, and because renovation was technically too difficult and too expensive.

[11][13] The bridge is 150 m long and approximately 125 m between abutments[10][15] with three lane dual carriageways and a pedestrian and cycle track.

130,300 mm square reinforced piles driven into the east embankment act as a precaution against future settlement.

[10][13] Work started on 20 March 2006 – the contractor planning to be on site for 18 months with a target completion date of August 2007.

[4][8][10][21] Work was completed after 23 months on 22 January 2008 with delays blamed on bad weather[4][21] in particular winds that prevented the use of cranes during their time on site.

[14] During the early phases the condition of the eastbound section of the old bridge was monitored by contractor ITM[26] and this was of particular interest during pile driving operations.

During June 2006 sections of the old bridge weighing up to 254 tonnes were lifted out overnight,[27][28] crushed with excavator mounted hydraulic breakers[29] and moved away on multi-axle flat bed trailers.

[30] The two crawler cranes used were a Liebherr LR1160 and a Sumimoto SC1500[30] working on opposite sides of the river, located on jetties because of the bad ground conditions.