'Critical works' delay £145m bridge opening in Lowestoft

Suffolk County Council said works on the "final critical phase" in the commissioning of the £145m Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft are ongoing.

Leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction are overseeing work on the bridge on behalf of Suffolk County Council, which said it was "working as fast as possible towards confirming an opening date" for the unveiling of the eagerly awaited third crossing.

Progress made on the £145m Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft. Picture: Gull Wing Bridge Facebook (Image: Gull Wing Bridge Facebook)

Construction started in spring 2021 with the bridge originally expected to be open last summer.

But with the project carried out amid the challenges of COVID and global supply issues, there was a further two month delay at this time last year  after highways construction took longer than expected.

In June this year, after the main construction works on the bridge had been "largely completed" ahead of a potential summer opening, safety and reliability testing began.

Progress made on the £145m Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft. Picture: Gull Wing Bridge Facebook (Image: Gull Wing Bridge Facebook)

With these essential works due to "take some time," the council said this week they are "working on confirming a date when we can open the bridge to the public as soon as possible."

It comes as a Notice to Mariners was issued - which has "understandably sparked interest".

However, the authority said this notice - which informs mariners of changes to safety-critical navigational information - does not necessarily mean the bridge will open imminently.

A county council spokesman said: "Regulations require that the Port Authority issue a formal Notice to Mariners at least 21 days before the Gull Wing is fully operational.

The £145m Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"However, final critical safety works on the bridge continue and an opening date has not yet been confirmed.

"By arranging for this notice to be published, we are ensuring that these regulations can’t slow down the opening of the Gull Wing once final commissioning is complete, and an updated Notice to Mariners would be published once an opening date has been confirmed.

"Suffolk County Council completely understands the huge benefits this bridge will bring to the people and businesses of Lowestoft, and we are working as fast as possible towards confirming an opening date once this final critical phase is complete."

'Largest rolling bascule bridge in the world'

Once fully completed, the £145m third crossing over Lake Lothing will transform how traffic moves around the town as it is set to reduce traffic congestion in Lowestoft, helping to regenerate the area and attract new investment for the local economy.

It will eventually be "the largest rolling bascule bridge in the world lifted using hydraulic cylinders" once complete.

The bascule span of the bridge measures 39.5m (130ft) long, 22m (72ft) wide and 35m (115ft) tall.

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