Another memorable milestone in the construction of the £145m Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft has been achieved.
After the final, main bascule span of the town's long-awaited third crossing had arrived from the Netherlands on Monday, March 4 it was delivered to the construction site on Lake Lothing last week ahead of being lifted into place.
Having been rotated on the barge ahead of the weekend, it was raised and moved into position on Saturday morning (March 9) with video footage from Lowestoft-based company CHPV Offshore Film & Photography - who have been documenting continuing progress of the town's long-awaited third crossing since 2021 - capturing the process.
Also witnessing the historic occasion as the "signature" section of the Gull Wing bridge was "carefully manoeuvred" into position and installed, was Norfolk drone photographer Luke Martin.
Preparing for the installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft around 6.30am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
Mr Martin, from Bradwell, Great Yarmouth said: "As the barge pulled away from the quayside in Lowestoft at around 6am on Saturday the final, major part of this project was carefully manoeuvred into position - with the Bascule span sitting high on the jacking system to which it will be aligned and lowered into place to form this final piece of this unique and challenging project."
Preparing for the installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft around 6.50am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
His video footage and drone photos on the Luke Martin Photography Facebook page has sparked great interest.
Preparing for the installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft around 7.08am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
He added: "It’s a pleasure to bring you an alternative view of the installation of this mighty project."
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 7.14am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
With leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction overseeing work on the bridge on behalf of Suffolk County Council, the installation and commissioning of the bascule span was described as "the most complex, major element of the project."
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 7.26am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
It has seen the temporary closure of Lake Lothing’s navigation channel from Friday, March 8 for three weeks, while the installation and commissioning continues.
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 8.18am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
A county council spokesman said: "The works during the channel closure are critical to enabling the Gull Wing bridge to be operational."
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 10.40am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
Once completed the bridge will be the largest rolling bascule bridge in the world lifted using hydraulic cylinders.
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 10.41am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 10.43am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 10.49am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 11.05am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 11.06am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
The installation of the main section of the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft at 11.10am on Saturday. Picture: Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)
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