Swansea landmark bridge lifted into place

A bridge linking Swansea city centre to a £135m indoor arena and the coast has been lifted into place.

The Copr Bay Bridge is 160ft (49m) long and crosses Oystermouth Road, with council officials hoping it will become a landmark for the area.

Two mobile units lifted the pieces into place, with the road underneath closed overnight.

The bridge is expected to open to cyclists and pedestrians ahead of the arena's completion later this year.

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"With its bold design that will complement the striking façade of the arena, the bridge will become a landmark for the city and an emblem nationally and internationally of a city that is going places," said council leader Rob Stewart.

Swansea-born artist Marc Rees designed the pattern on the bridge's side panels featuring 2,756 laser-cut origami shapes.

"It's been a difficult time recently, especially for the cultural sector, so the bridge installation is timely as we need a positive and aspirational symbol," he said.

The bridge weighs 150 metric tonnes and features 2,756 laser-cut origami shapes

Swansea-born artist Marc Rees designed the pattern on the bridge's side panels

The work to ease the bridge into place was carried out by contractors using two remote controlled mobile transporter units which lowered the structure into position.

It was then lowered on pneumatic jacks pre-installed on its abutments to fine tune its position before being fixed in place.

The bridge will lead to the entrance of the 3,500 seat arena on one side, with a further development planned on the other.

Design director Friedrich Ludewig called it "a true piece of international innovation", adding: "The iconic arch stabilises the super-slender bridge deck and creates a new urban space floating over the road."

Officials hope to attract major acts to the new indoor arena that will open towards the end of the year