WORKERS on Newport's latest bridge have almost got the job licked as they put the finishing touches to its paintwork.

The bridge is part of the £55m Southern Distributor Road project and is due to open in late July.

This week a team of ten have been painting it light grey and will soon start on the final coat.

Peter Frood, project manager with contractors Morgan Vinci, said: "Three coats went on in the factory and two more will have been completed before it opens. It takes around three to four days to give the bridge a coat.

"It's an important part of the project but not especially interesting - we haven't been watching it dry. Fortunately it won't have to need painting again for at least 16 years."

The SDR will link the M4 at junction 24 to the Pont Ebbw roundabout to divert traffic away from Newport centre and improve access to business areas.

The bridge will be 187 metres long and 31.4 metres wide, and will use 3,200 tonnes of steel, 3,600 tonnes of concrete and 1,100 tonnes of surfacing.