The lorry took up two lanes of the M4

The 144ft (44m) lorry took an hour to transport its 60 tonne load from one part of Newport to the other.

It was escorted by police as it made its journey and overshadowed other vehicles including other lorries which are about 40ft (12m) long.

It was carrying a section of the bridge being built over the river Usk.

The lorry had to be specially hired to transport the bridge part

The new bridge is part of a long-term regeneration of Newport.

The project is being overseen by regeneration company Newport Unlimited and paid for by Newport Council and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA).

The lorry had to be hired by engineers constructing the bridge to transport the middle section of the bridge spanning the river Usk for cyclists and pedestrians to cross into the city centre from Maindee.

It will be as high as the Newport Transport Bridge and features four crane-like masts, standing in pairs, which support the bridge from the west bank.

FOOTBRIDGE FACTS The bridge will be 145m long and 67m high The forward mast is 80m, and the back one 70m It is made from 850 tonnes of steel and will be raised in May

"When the bridge goes up, it will be incredibly high," said Newport Unlimited chief executive John Burrows.

"When it is lifted into place it will tower above Newport."

The bridge is part of a scheme led by Newport Unlimited which plans to roll out more than 60 projects in 15 priority areas.