Installation of the main bascule span is expected to take three weeks.

The bascule span is 39.5m long, 22m wide and 35m tall and weighs 1120 tonnes. It was delivered to the site yesterday by barge from Holland.

The span will sit on 750 tonnes of permanent structural steelwork and an additional 370 tonnes of temporary ballast to ensure bridge stability during installation.

Tristram Browne, Project Manager for Farrans Construction, said: “The arrival of the signature sections of the Gull Wing bridge is another exciting milestone for our team, our client and for the town of Lowestoft.

“The forthcoming installation is a highly technical and challenging feat of civil engineering which will take place over the next three weeks. Our team is well prepared and we are looking forward to working with our supply chain to safely install and commission the bascule bridge span, progressing this important project further towards completion.

“We hope that the anticipation surrounding this project will inspire more young people to consider the career opportunities that exist within this industry, and we have been proud to deliver many workshops and site visits for local schools since the start of this project.”

How the bridge will look when finished