The final steel girder has been set in place on the new Governor Mario M Cuomo Bridge that connects Westchester and Rockland counties across the Hudson River in New York, US.

Installation of the girder for the 3.1-mile long eastbound span marks the completion of all major steel operations on the project.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “This steel connection is another example of progress for the new bridge and sets the stage for the opening of the eastbound span later this year.

“The new Mario M Cuomo Bridge will not only serve New Yorkers, visitors and the greater mid-Hudson Valley region for the next century, it will be an important symbol of our commitment to rebuilding stronger, safer infrastructure across the state.”

“Designed to last for more than a century without the need for major maintenance, the Governor Mario M Cuomo Bridge is said to be one of the biggest active bridge projects in the nation.”

Featuring eight 419ft towers standing at a five-degree angle, the bridge is said to be the first cable-stayed bridge across the Hudson River. It has a total of 192 stay cables that would stretch 14 miles if laid end-to-end.

The bridge makes use of the steel cables placed at an angle to connect the bridge deck to vertical towers that extend high above the roadway.

Designed to last for more than a century without the need for major maintenance, the Governor Mario M Cuomo Bridge is said to be one of the biggest active bridge projects in the nation.

Since 2013, the New York State Thruway Authority has been managing the bridge replacement project.

It is working towards achieving two fundamental objectives, which include complete opening of the bridge to traffic this year, and finishing it at or below the budgeted cost of $3.98bn.

Upon completion of the project, the bridge will have eight general traffic lanes, four breakdown and emergency lanes, dedicated bus lanes, as well as a bicycle and pedestrian path.