See the huge operation to lift new Sunderland bridge into place

The 100m, 1550-tonne structure at the heart of the New Wear Crossing is being winched upright over 24 hours.A major operation to lift the centrepiece of Sunderland’s landmark new bridge into place is under way. The complex process will see the giant structure winched up to a 90 degree angle from a starting point of lying flat on its back on a barge.At 100m, the pylon is twice the height of Nelson’s column and weighs the same as 300 African elephants at 1,550 tonnes.The bridge is being built on behalf of Sunderland City Council by Farrans Construction and Victor Buyck Steel Construction, known as FVB Joint Venture.The new dual-carriageway bridge will link Castletown to the north of the River Wear with Pallion to the south, and also provide routes for cyclists and pedestrians.As part of the council’s Strategic Transport Corridor, the bridge is intended to give the city’s economy a long-term boost.