THE multi-million pound project to create a major new river crossing in the Walkham Valley is on schedule and should be completed early next year.

Project leaders say work is progressing well on the construction of a bridge at Grenofen, which will form part of a European cycling network and boost cycle tourism in Devon.

Fifteen steel truss sections, each measuring around 15 metres, are arriving at the Gem Bridge site over the next couple of weeks.

This steel framework will be lifted into place in the coming months, using a 500-tonne mobile crane on the north of the river and a 250-tonne crane on the south side.

These enormous steel sections will then be bolted and welded together to form the 150-tonne, 200-metre long bridge across the valley.

The £2.1-million Gem Bridge is the biggest single piece of new infrastructure being built as part of the European-funded Cycle West initiative, which links Devon and France.

The scheme is developing and promoting cycle tourism between South West England, Brittany, and Normandy, with large areas of Devon featuring in two of the three new Cycle West routes.

The 24-metre high bridge will eventually connect Dartmoor National Park with Plymouth to complete one of the final missing links on Drake's Trail.

It will also form part of Cycle West's 'Vélodyssée' route, which is a 265-mile (440km) cross-Channel cycle link stretching from Ilfracombe to Redon in Southern Brittany, via Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth.

Contractor Dawnus is currently constructing the wineglass-shaped bridge piers, which, when complete, will stand 22 metres above river level — the equivalent height of five double-decker buses stacked on top of each other.

Cllr Philip Sanders, county councillor for Yelverton Rural, said: 'The section of the Walkham Valley that will be crossed by the new bridge is already well known to many people as a spectacular area for walking and cycling.

'The opportunity for cyclists and walkers to be able to view the valley from the bridge is something which I look forward to with great excitement.

'The scale and design of the bridge make it a feature which will be sought out by people simply for itself, but the bonus of the view from the bridge both up and down the river valley will make a visit to the area a delight and a memorable experience.'

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'While the new bridge will not match the scale of the original Brunel viaduct, which was almost twice the height, it will provide a magnificent alternative for the modern era.

'When it's complete it will undoubtedly become an iconic route for the region and I'm sure it will be a popular addition to Devon's first class cycle network.'

The Gem Bridge scheme is expected to be completed by January 2012.