After years of campaigning, residents of Lowestoft and beyond will get the chance to have their say on the Third Crossing proposals.
The crossing, which aims to reduce congestion and delays on the existing bridges over Lake Lothing, aims to be complete by 2022.
And now Suffolk County Council is calling on residents, businesses, landowners and all those affected by the project to give feedback on the long-awaited plans.
The consultation will run from Monday, September 4, to October 16, with a series of public exhibitions also being hosted where residents can examine the proposals and provide their feedback.
Colin Noble, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: 'The Lake Lothing Third Crossing is a hugely significant piece of infrastructure that will benefit Lowestoft and the surrounding areas for many years to come and the consultation, which is required as part of the planning process, is an important part of that.
'I would like people to have their say on the proposals so when we complete construction of the bridge they can say 'I was part of it'.'
The crossing consists of a multi-span single carriageway from Waveney Drive on the south side of the town to Peto Way on the north side.
The section of the bridge over the lake has been designed higher than the existing Bascule Bridge, which the council says will minimise the need to open it. The crossing includes provision for pedestrians and cyclists.
As well as reducing delays on the A47 Bascule Bridge and the Mutford Lock bridge in Oulton Broad, the new crossing aims to reduces congestion in the town centre and improve accessibility, reduce community severance between north and south, improve bus journey times and open up opportunities for regeneration and development.
Funding for the crossing was granted by the government in March 2016, with £73.4m set aside for the scheme. The total cost of the project is expected to be £100m, with the remaining funds coming from the county council.
To have your say, fill out the online survey at www.suffolk.gov.uk/lakelothing3rdcrossing. Questionnaires can also be collected from Lowestoft, Oulton Broad and Kessingland libraries, the council offices at Riverside and the Marina Customer Services Centre.
Consultation events
The locations, dates and times of the consultation events on the Lake Lothing First Crossing are:
Gunton Estate Community Hall, Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft - Tuesday, September 5, noon to 7m.
Lowestoft Library, Clapham Road South, Lowestoft - Saturday, September 9, 10.30am to 4.30pm
Spinnaker Room (Kessingland Library), Marram Green, Hall Road, Kessingland - Tuesday, September 12, 2.30pm to 7.30pm
Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road South, Lowestoft - Thursday, September 14, 1pm to 7.30pm
Waveney District Council, council offices, Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft - Friday, September 22, 2pm to 7pm
Commodore Mission Hall, 26 Gorleston Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft - Monday, September 25, 2pm to 7pm
St Mark's Church, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft - Friday, September 29, 1pm to 7pm
You can also call 03456 318 842 or email lakelothing3rdcrossing@suffolk.gov.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here