A huge new £44million bridge in a UK city is nearing completion. The final steel section of Sunderland’s New Wear Footbridge was carefully lifted into place in September.

Now, deck panels are being placed onto the 250m structure. The 91 concrete sections each measure 10m wide.

The process requires the use of a specially designed trolley system. A crane lifts the panels onto it, which then moves to the correct position.

After all of these have been installed, work will start on the final parts of the bridge’s deck, New Civil Engineer reports.

Connecting the former Vaux Brewery site and the Sheepfolds, the project is seen as the “fulcrum” of the ongoing £500million Riverside Sunderland development.

Officials say this will see 32-hectares of “prime land” in the centre of the city “transformed” over the next decade.

This will include a new central business district, which is set to provide more than 1million sq ft of Grade A office space, 1,000 new homes and new leisure developments.

In addition, under development are a “world-class” eye hospital, the Housing and Innovation Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), a riverside park and culture house.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said in Septemner: “The New Wear Footbridge is a key part of the Riverside Sunderland development which will absolutely transform this prime city centre site over the next decade.

“Bridging the Sheepfolds and the city centre, it will significantly improve accessibility to venues such as the Stadium of Light, and Sheepfolds Stables, while taking significant strain from the Wearmouth Bridge, which is one of the main transport arteries into the city.”

He added that it will benefit Sunderland financially. Cllr Johnston said: “Providing a significant boost to local businesses, it will also have a huge impact on the city’s skyline, as yet another stunning structure begins to reshape our city centre for generations to come.

“It’s been fantastic seeing it all come together and as more developments rise from the ground, we look forward to seeing even more cranes move onto the site as yet more projects come to fruition.”