The council was forced to abandon ambitions to build Britain’s tallest bridge last summer due to rocketing costs.
Contractors also shunned the ambitious scheme warning the project design was too high-risk a build for the £120m budget.
The main issue was the risk associated with building independently curved free-standing bridge pylons.
Cost of building original design forced council rethink
The council is now inviting contractors to come back with cheaper design and build options at a target price around two thirds the cost of the iconic original design.
A source told the Enquirer: “We have an example design, but we are open to whatever is the best solution.
“Obviously the quality of design will be a key part of the discussion in the dialogue process.”
The council’s working design is for a A-frame pylon, cable-stayed structure, which will be less of an engineering challenge and more cost-effective.
This will sit in the same footprint as the earlier design.
Bridge bidders Day
The council will be holding a market engagement day at The Stadium of Light on 8 April.
Prequalification will start on 24 April, with work due to start in a year’s time.
For more information contract Christine Dixon at Sunderland Council.