Gateshead Council has confirmed that the demolition of the A167 flyover will cost approximately £31m, an increase from the initial estimate of around £18m.
The flyover, built in the 1960s, has been closed since December 2024 due to safety concerns. Demolition work began in April and is scheduled to conclude in October.
Council official Anneliese Hutchinson stated that construction finance specialists had "independently scrutinised" the costs, which were considered fair. She added that carrying out part of the demolition overnight to reduce traffic contributed to the higher expenses.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the price increase will not affect the immediate progress of the works. Gateshead Council is seeking financial assistance from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the demolition and the replacement road layout, believing DfT should contribute as the flyover was part of national highways infrastructure.
DfT is expected to announce its decision on the funding bid in the autumn. The council, now run by Reform UK, plans to involve local residents in discussions about the site's future in the "coming months".