New images released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and Westfield show the progress being made on the construction of a huge arched bridge that will form a crucial north-south link between the Olympic Village, Westfield's Stratford City retail and leisure development, and the Olympic Park.

During the London 2012 Games, the bridge will form a key part of the Olympic Park Loop Road giving athletes and officials easy and quick access from the Olympic Village to venues in the Olympic Park. After the Games, the bridge will provide access between the Olympic Village, the Stratford City retail and leisure development, and the Olympic Park for visitors and local residents.

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The bridge features a 18m-high arch and spans 87m over the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and DLR rail lines serving Stratford International Station. The 18m-wide bridge will include four road lanes (two each way) as well as two footpaths and a cycle path in legacy.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "This bridge will form a pivotal point between three of the biggest regeneration projects in London, providing an essential new link between the thousands of new homes in the Olympic Village, the huge retail and leisure development at Stratford City, and the new world-class sporting venues and parklands in the Olympic Park.

"Not only will this new bridge provide essential access during the Games and in legacy, it will also deliver a striking new piece of architecture for east London."

Westfield and the ODA have also now started construction work on the Town Centre Link bridge - an additional new piece of infrastructure which will provide an important new link from the existing town centre in Stratford into the Olympic Park and Westfield's retail and leisure development at Stratford City. The bridge will also provide an essential link between Stratford Regional Station and the new Stratford International Station.

(CD/JM)