Cranes are being installed ahead of the arrival of the next sections of a long-awaited third crossing in a coastal town.

The latest significant milestone in the construction of the £126.75m Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft will see the first two south side sections arrive next week.

Lowestoft Journal: The Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesThe Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

These next two steel sections - the first two South Approach Viaduct (SAV) sections of the bridge - are being delivered following the successful installations of the northern approach sections crossing the railway line in Lowestoft.

After the North Approach Viaduct (NAV 1) section arrived in March last year and was lifted into place last October, work on the installation of NAV 2 and NAV 3 started at the end of last month and was completed in early April.

Lowestoft Journal: NAV3 is now in place, marking the first section of the bridge to go over water. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge Twitter NAV3 is now in place, marking the first section of the bridge to go over water. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge Twitter (Image: Gull Wing - Lowestoft)

Now, the next steel spans being used in construction of the bridge - which is being delivered by Suffolk County Council and built by Farrans Construction - are due to arrive over the next fortnight.

Lowestoft Journal: Cranes being installed ahead of the arrival of the Southern Viaducts, SAV 1 and 3. Picture: Gull Wing - LowestoftCranes being installed ahead of the arrival of the Southern Viaducts, SAV 1 and 3. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft (Image: Gull Wing - Lowestoft)

A spokesman for the Gull Wing Bridge said: "With the successful delivery of NAV's 2 and 3 at the beginning of the month, the project is now looking at the next stage which is the delivery of the Southern Viaducts, SAV's 1-4.

"You will see on site a large crane is being erected to handle movement of the steel structures off the barge and into place.

"We are having to use larger cranes for this operation as more reach is required.

"The crane is a Demag CC 8800-1, which has a capacity of 1,600 tons.

"The machinery configuration – such as boom length, backmast and counterweight - can be adjusted to specific requirements.

"This provides additional lifting capacity. Crawler cranes can crawl with a load, allowing more flexibility in lifting.

"At present we are looking to transport SAV 1 and 3 at the start of next week, with SAV 2 and 4 coming in the week after.

"As before, timings are weather dependant."