New £145m bridge project moves into final stages

Safety and control systems will now be tested on the Gull Wing Bridge

Test opening of a new £145m bridge has been successful with the project now moving into the final commissioning stage.

Suffolk County Council said the planned works for the bascule span of the Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft had been completed.

Developers will now install and test bridge safety and control systems.

Once fully completed the bridge will provide the town with a third water crossing over Lake Lothing.

The lake was closed on 8 March to allow for testing of the bascule span.

The navigation channel was then reopened last Thursday ahead of schedule, the council said.

"All the planned works were completed, and the new bascule span has been successfully opened and closed," a spokesman said.

"The project is now ready for the final commissioning stage which will involve the installation and testing of the bridge safety and control systems, operator training and completion of highways works and landscaping."

The bridge will eventually be the largest of its kind with the bascule span 39.5 (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.