Lowestoft 'Gull-Wing' bridge shows how infrastructure can benefit region, says local business group
It offically opens today
The new bridge is officially opening in Waveney this morning more than three years after the construction of this crossing got underway.
The Gull Wing is an iconic and important bridge for Lowestoft, being delivered by Suffolk County Council and built by Farrans Construction and it will provide a much-needed third crossing over the town’s Lake Lothing.
Local authorities also hope it will reduce traffic congestion in the town, regenerate the area, and attract new investments for the local economy.
It was initially intended to open last year, but construction faced multiple delays including completing the testing and pre-commissioning of mechanical systems.
It will be open for the public to walk across today between 09:00 and 11:30 am before any motors are given access.
The bridge is the largest of its kind, with the bascule span 39.5m (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.
We spoke to James Palmer from the Eastern Powerhouse an independent organisation that aims to create a strategic argument for investment in the East of England.
He told us he wants to see more investment into infrastructure across the county.
"Public and politicians etc all get hung up on infrastructure costs and the time it takes, we spend more time talking about it then we do actually building it.
"Nobody has ever driven over a bridge or under a tunnel and said what a waste of money."
He went onto say he wants to see more "joined up thinking" from the government and Highways England" to deliver a road network that is "fit for purpose"
"East Anglia has been an infrastructure desert for many many years and small projects like this are fantastic and they are to be welcome...
"Our greatest areas of depravation in the East of England are in our worst connected towns and cities."
Finally, he told us what changes he would like to see moving forward to improve the connectivity from Suffolk to other regions.
"Lowestoft would also massively benefit as would the rest of the region if the A12 was duel from Lowestoft to London and the A47 was duel from Peterborough to Lowestoft.
"These would be major infrastructure improvements that should be expected, if they were anywhere else in the UK they would be motorways."