The first of 30 new permanent bridges in the Olympic Park has been lifted into place.

A 250-tonne crane was used to lift three 55 metre-long steel beams into place to form the main supports of the bridge.

The bridge spans the River Lea in the north of the Park to form an east-west link across the site. During the "big build"phase of the project the bridge will be used by site vehicles. During and after the Games it will form part of the main loop road around the Park providing access around the site for pedestrians and vehicles.

-- Advertisement --

This new bridge is one of the seven that will be structurally complete by 27 July 2009 - exactly three years out from the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony - as set out in the 'the big build: foundations' document published by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

In total the ODA is building more than 30 bridges and 20km of roads in and around the Park to create new connections across a site which previously had many inaccessible areas.

ODA Director of Infrastructure and Utilities Simon Wright said: "Building new bridges and roads is a crucial element across the life of the project, from creating new links across the site for construction activity, to delivering an open and accessible Park during the Games, and forming new links between local communities in legacy."

The last major bridge contract has been awarded to Lagan Construction. The contract is to construct a major footbridge in the centre of the Park, spanning approximately 30m over the River Lea between the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre.

(CD/JM)