The main construction works on a new £145m bridge have been "largely completed" ahead of a potential summer opening.

The road and footway tarmac surfacing across the new Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft and its approaches is nearing completion.

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

And as the town's long-awaited third crossing draws ever closer to opening to traffic and becoming reality, testing and commissioning of the final bascule span is now well under way and "entering its final stages".

Having been successfully opened and closed numerous times, the bridge will eventually be "the largest rolling bascule bridge in the world lifted using hydraulic cylinders", once complete.

With leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction overseeing work on the bridge on behalf of Suffolk County Council, a county council spokesman said: "We're pleased to say the main construction works on the bridge are largely completed, including the road and footway tarmac surfacing across the bridge and its approaches.

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

"Road signs, traffic signals and barriers are currently being installed.

"Various existing road signs around Lowestoft will also be updated in the coming weeks to acknowledge the extension of the A12 across the new bridge."

The county council spokesman added: "Testing and commissioning of the bascule span is well under way and entering its final stages.

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

"The contractor is now operating the bascule span to allow vessels through, and training and handover to the bridge operators is ongoing.

"Finally, safety and reliability testing is also commencing.

"Please bear with us during this period, which can take some time, but it is essential to do this work before the bridge can be opened to the public."

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

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.