Massive crane helps start bridge across Lowestoft’s Lake Lothing

One of the biggest cranes of its kind hauled up the first sections of a Lowestoft bridge yesterday.

Sections weighing 213 tonnes and 105 tonnes, and spanning 41 metres and 35 metres, were pulled from a barge yesterday to start building Gull Wing bridge.

The Gull Wing Bridge will provide a third crossing across Lake Lothing and help ease traffic congestion.

The crane towering over the lake has a maximum lifting capacity of 1,600 tonnes and is one of the largest crawler cranes in the world.

Simon Bretherton, Suffolk County Council project director, called the move a major step forward.

He continued: “We are making good progress on building what will be an iconic structure providing a new era for jobs, businesses and connectivity for Lowestoft and the wider area.”

The crane arrived from Copenhagen approximately two weeks ago and took around ten days to build in Lowestoft.

The bridge parts arrived by barge from Ghent in Belgium yesterday, 24 hours earlier than expected.

The barge will sail back to Ghent to pick up the next two parts – weighing 318 tonnes and 90 tonnes.

Contractor Farrans Construction is building the bridge for Suffolk County Council.

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 placement students.”