The £178.5 million Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NNDR) project is starting to take shape in Norfolk.

Work to install the final bridge beams has been completed by Balfour Beatty. A total of 32 beams have been lifted into place at Middle Road, Great Plumstead by a 500-tonne crane over a two-day period.

The beams will form the second 'green bridge' on the 20km route. The hedgerow and panelling is designed to create a dark corridor o provide a safe crossing for bats on a known flight path.

Once finished next year, the 20km NNDR scheme will create a new dual carriageway linking the A7 to the south east of the city, as well as to the proposed Rackheath Eco-town scheme and to Norwich International Airport.

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Ian Taylor, Project Manager for Norfolk County Council, said: "Since the beginning of the year we've seen main beam lifts completed on all eight bridges – including the sizable steel beams over the Norwich to Sheringham railway. All have gone without a hitch, which is a credit to the professionalism of Balfour Beatty. Completing the bridge beam lifts is a significant advance for the project."

Chris Sedman, Balfour Beatty NNDR Project Director, added: "The installation of the final bridge beams on the Norwich Northern Distributor Road is a great success for the project and a testament to the team's engineering capabilities.

"Over the coming months, we look forward to opening a number of bridges which will enable the local community to experience some of the many benefits the project will deliver including improved road access and reduced congestion."

(LM)