However, of these links constructed by the NER, arguably the most significant was the Monkwearmouth Junction Line of 1879 which linked the ex-D&SR lines at Ryhope Grange Junction to the ex-BJR lines at Monkwearmouth. This involved the construction of the Monkwearmouth Railway Bridge over the River Wear, a new station at Sunderland Central, and tunnels on either side of the station. Following the opening of Sunderland Central station, NER and LS&SR services were diverted away from the earlier termini and focussed in one location for the first time.