A NEW motorway bridge will be lifted in to place over the M27 near Southampton this weekend.

The new bridge weighs 1,069 tonnes – as much as 15 space shuttles - and will be lifted into place using self-propelled modular transporters, which are remote-controlled, self-powered low-loader lorries.

These lorries will lift the bridge into place from the carriageway.

The M27 between junction 3 (for Southampton City Centre) and junction 4 (for the M3) will be closed from 10pm on Friday night (28 June) and will reopen at 5am on Monday 1 July.