New Walking and Cycling Bridge Lifted into Place in Nottingham

Nottingham has welcomed a major milestone in its active travel infrastructure with the lifting of a brand-new walking and cycling bridge over the River Trent.

The 87-metre-long, 175-tonne bridge was lifted into position using a 75-metre CC6800 crawler crane, which was assembled onsite in sections and carefully erected with the help of additional cranes. The operation involved moving the bridge from its supports and swinging it into place on its new abutments.

Due to the bridge’s enormous weight, the crane was counterbalanced and positioned on specially constructed tracks capable of carrying the load. The lift followed a meticulously planned sequence, coordinated by Balfour Beatty, Mammoet, and Briton Fabricators Ltd, ensuring the operation was completed safely and smoothly.

Next Steps

Although the bridge now dominates Nottingham’s skyline, there is still work to complete. Installation of ramps, steps, walkways, and a smaller bridge over Trent Basin remains, alongside landscaping and planting around the area. The bridge is expected to open to the public in late Spring 2026.

Once complete, it will become a key part of Nottingham’s active travel network, providing new routes for pedestrians and cyclists and improving connectivity across the city. The bridge is expected to be especially useful for sports fans and residents accessing amenities on both sides of the river.

Transforming Cities Fund Project

The bridge marks the final flagship project of Nottingham City Council’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which began in 2020 following a successful bid for over £160 million in government funding aimed at improving inter-city connectivity and promoting low-carbon travel.

Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport, said:

“This is a big milestone for our project to build a new walking and cycling bridge over the River Trent. It was thrilling to see the bridge land on its supports as planned. I want to thank everyone involved and can’t wait to try it out come spring.”

Sunil Karra, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, added:

“We’re extremely proud to have safely completed this major milestone, with the 175-tonne bridge now in position. This complex lift was made possible through detailed planning and close collaboration with our partners and the Council.”