Construction News

13/03/2024

Farrans Releases Video Showing Final Installation At Gull Wing Bridge

Farrans has released a video which shows the final section of the Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft being installed.

The bascule span is 39.5 metres long, 22 metres wide and 35 metres tall and will weigh approximately 1120 tonnes when positioned. Made up of 750 tonnes of permanent structural steelwork the span has an additional 370 tonnes of temporary ballast to ensure the bridge stability during installation.

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During the installation and commissioning phase, an extra counterweight of heavyweight concrete, approximately 380 tonnes, will be added within the J-beams. This addition will bring the total operational weight of the bridge to around 1100 tonnes.

The bridge will be elevated 12 meters above the highest tide, ensuring that the tips of the J-beams remain typically over 50 meters above the sea surface below. When the bridge is retracted in the open position, the end of the road-carrying span will be elevated over 60 meters above the tide. The completed bascule bridge will be the largest rolling bascule bridge in the world lifted using hydraulic cylinders.

Watch the video here

Video credit: CHPV

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