The first eight support structure beams are in place on the new Reids Canal Bridge on State Highway 2 near Edgecumbe.

The 25 tonne beams to be installed form the central span of the new bridge, which is what the road will be built on to carry traffic.

The new Reids Canal Bridge under construction.

NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty state highway manager Brett Gliddon says there are 24 beams to be installed, each about 65metres in length.

The new Reids Canal Bridge is up to three times longer in length and two metres higher than the old bridge.

The old bridge has already been removed to make way for the new one.

The old bridge was cut into pieces using concrete saws and crushed to separate the steel reinforcement from the concrete and then recycled onsite.

Brett says the next phase of the project, which is due to be completed in March 2012, will focus on completing the east and west structure of the bridge.

Other work to be done at this time is finishing off the installation of the other two span beams so that the concrete deck can be poured.