Lowestoft third crossing steel sections to be installed

The next two steel sections being used in the construction of the £126.75m Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft arrived via barge from the Netherlands on Wednesday morning.

NAV2 and NAV3 arriving in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With the North Approach Viaduct (NAV2 and NAV3) sections weighing more than 400 tonnes combined, and measuring between 40m and 50m long, they have now been "moored at the Quayside".

NAV2 and NAV3 arriving in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The huge steel spans being used in the construction of the £126.75m Gull Wing bridge - which is being delivered by Suffolk County Council and built by Farrans Construction - will soon be lifted from the barge over the coming days and positioned on to the pier so they can be joined together.

A county council spokesman said: "This will be done by bolting the splices before lining and levelling the sections into the correct position.

"Following this, the concrete decks will be cast before the street furniture and surfacing are placed."

On Thursday morning (March 30), a Gull Wing spokesman said: "NAV 2 and 3 moored at the Quayside by the crane this morning awaiting their installation.

"Timings to be confirmed but hoping to move NAV 2 at some point today, depending on wind speeds."

The county council spokesman added: "Work on lifting the first section started early this morning but had to be paused because of winds."

The works are due to resume this afternoon (Thursday), if weather permits.

Simon Bretherton, Suffolk County Council project director, said: "The arrival and installation of these two sections over the coming weeks are further signs of the bridge taking shape."

Neil Rogers, project director on Gull Wing bridge for Farrans, said: "Moving large steel structures such as these take months of planning, and we are pleased that they have arrived safely to their permanent home."