The existing bridge is the only way to reach the Isle of Sheppey

At present road and rail access is limited to the Kings Ferry Bridge, which has to be lifted to allow shipping to pass along the River Swale.

The contract to construct the new �100m bridge, due to open to traffic in summer 2006, was awarded by the Highways Agency on Friday.

It is hoped the extra access will help people living and working on Sheppey.

Lost time

Highways Agency spokesman Stuart Ogden said the project would mean drivers would no longer have to waste time in traffic jams while the Kings Ferry Bridge was raised.

"It can be closed for up to 25 minutes every time a boat comes through," he said.

"If you put a value on all the time that's lost over the years then it becomes a sound financial proposition to put in a new, high level structure."

Mr Ogden said preparatory work had already started on the bridge.

"Then of course we will move on to major works which include foundations in the river, building the columns that will support the bridge and then launching into position the main beams that will carry the bridge over the river."

Tenders for the project were first submitted in December 2002.

The Isle of Sheppey, which measures approximately nine miles by four miles, lies off the north Kent coast near Whitstable.