Suffolk County Council has announced that Farrans has been appointed to construct the bridge under a US$59 million contract.

Lake Lothing - Gull Wing bridge

The bridge was originally to have been built by BAM Nuttall, which had worked on the design but then failed to agree a construction price with the council.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: “Suffolk’s Gull Wing project continues to gather momentum and I’m pleased to welcome Farrans on board. Following an in-depth tender process, this appointment is based on an offer which we believe will bring a balance of high-quality workmanship, value for money and great social value for the local area.

“Since we announced the Gull Wing name and approved the budget to move the project forward last month, I’ve felt a real wave of positivity from the town and unanimous support from colleagues across the county.”

Jonny Kerr, operations director for Farrans’ civil engineering division, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with the Gull Wing, which is going to mean a great deal to the local community. It is even more exciting to be working on such an iconic structure.

“The Gull Wing bridge will offer in excess of 50 employment and training opportunities for the local area through ourselves and our supply chain to leave a lasting legacy within Suffolk.”

He added: “We will of course be building the bridge, but our presence in Lowestoft will be much more than that. We will be working with local schools to involve children in the project and launching apprenticeships for local people.

“I’m also hoping that we will receive interest from plenty of local and regional businesses, to be part of the supply chain to construct the Gull Wing. We’ll be working with the council’s project team in the coming months to arrange these opportunities.”

Construction work is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021, with the bridge opening in the summer of 2023.