The stadium is the home of Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC).
An application is shortly expected to be made to government to secure permission to progress with the pedestrian bridge, which will connect the former Vaux Brewery site to the south of the river with Sheepfolds to the north.
The city council’s cabinet is meeting on 10 November and is set to agree to make the bid to government. Assuming legal permissions are granted, Sunderland City Council can then progress with detailed design work for the crossing before seeking local planning consent.
The bridge, which is expected is to be completed by 2023, is the centrepiece of a plan that was released in October and sets out proposals for the riverside area over the next decade.
Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’ve had some fantastic expressions of support for this crossing, which will boost connectivity between the north and south of the river, something that is key as we look to develop the whole Riverside Sunderland site into a vibrant place to live, work and play.
“By moving to the next stage, and seeking permission from the government, we can ensure that we are on track to deliver this important piece of infrastructure for the city by 2023.”
