One of the biggest cranes of its kind in the world is helping to lift the huge steel sections in the construction of a long-awaited third crossing.

After the first two southern side sections of the £126.75m Gull Wing bridge arrived in Lowestoft from Belgium on Sunday night (April 23), installation has been completed.

Lowestoft Journal: One of the South Approach Viaduct (SAV) sections in place in Lowestoft. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge TwitterOne of the South Approach Viaduct (SAV) sections in place in Lowestoft. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge Twitter (Image: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge Twitter)

With the South Approach Viaduct (SAV) sections 1 and 3 arriving at the construction site on Lake Lothing on a barge from Ghent, SAV3 has been lifted onto the quayside and placed on a temporary base.

Lowestoft Journal: One of the South Approach Viaduct (SAV) sections being lifted into place in Lowestoft. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge TwitterOne of the South Approach Viaduct (SAV) sections being lifted into place in Lowestoft. Picture: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge Twitter (Image: Gull Wing - Lowestoft @gullwingbridge Twitter)

And earlier this week SAV 1 was moved into its final position, after being offloaded directly onto the Southern Approach Abutment and Pier 1.

Fabricated by Victor Buyck Steel Construction, SAV1 - which is 35 metres long and weighs 105 tonnes - and SAV3 - which is 41m long and weighs 213 tonnes - were lifted into position by the huge Terex Demag CC8800-1 crane, which is one of the largest crawler cranes in the world.

Lowestoft Journal: The giant Terex Demag CC8800-1 unloading the Gull Wing bridge SAV sections from the barge. Picture: CHPV Offshore Film & PhotographyThe giant Terex Demag CC8800-1 unloading the Gull Wing bridge SAV sections from the barge. Picture: CHPV Offshore Film & Photography (Image: CHPV Offshore Film & Photography)

It was brought into Lowestoft from Copenhagen and off-loaded by the crane used to unload the northern approach sections that arrived from the Netherlands last month.

And now as leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans continue to construct the bridge for Suffolk County Council, the barge will sail back to Ghent to collect SAV2 and SAV4 next week.

Lowestoft Journal: SAV 1 and 3 arriving in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesSAV 1 and 3 arriving in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

SAV2 - which is 30m long and weighs 90 tonnes - will then be offloaded directly onto Piers 1 and 2, before SAV3 is picked up from the temporary base and placed onto Piers 2 and 3.

SAV4 - which is 45m long and 381 tonnes - will then be lifted directly from the barge onto Piers 3 and 4.

Neil Rogers, project director for Farrans Construction, said: "To have one of the largest cranes in the world on site for this project is a fantastic learning opportunity for our apprentices, graduates and placements."