Final stage of £145m bridge installation begins

Work has started to install the final part of a £145m bridge that will provide a town with a third water crossing.

The bascule span of the Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft, Suffolk, is set to be raised and moved into position on Saturday.

People have been invited to watch the landmark installation take place via a livestream run by the bridge's developer.

The final stage of the project began at 06:00 GMT after the bascule span arrived from the Netherlands on Monday.

Lake Lothing was closed to marine traffic on Friday ahead of three weeks of installation works.

Suffolk County Council said the moveable bridge would be the largest of its kind in the world, with the bascule span 39.5m (130ft) long, 22m (72ft) wide and 35m (115ft) tall.

The bascule span - the largest part of the bridge - was initially due to arrive in early January but was delayed so further testing could be completed.

Once installed, the bridge will sit clear of the highest tide by 12m (39ft) and the J-beams will be more than 50m (164ft) above the sea.

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