The first Wearmough Bridge was built in 1796. It was rebuilt in 1857 by Robert Stephenson, and again in 1927 with this steel arch construction designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson.
Cycle lanes have been established along the broad footways on either side, and carries National Cycle Network route 1 (Three Rivers route, part of the Inverness and Dover route) and the Walney to Wear cross-country cycle route and also the England Coast Path National Trail.
NZ3957 : Sunderland Bridges Vertical clearance for vessels entering the River Wear is controlled by the railway bridge at 25m; both the Wearmouth bridge (downstream) and the Queen Alexandra bridge (upstream) have slightly greater clearances.