The four main sections, which weigh between 38 and 46 tonnes, were lowered into place by the 1,200-tonne crane, the largest in the UK, over a seven-day period in late March 2010[3] in the presence of Lee Waters, Director of Sustrans Cymru and Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing.

Among those in attendance were Jason Stone, Sybil Williams, Lydia Harris and Tim Burns who were nominated by the public to appear on the bridge's portrait benches.

For the Vale of Glamorgan’s bench, the Vale-born Olympic gold medallist Nicole Cooke was chosen who has been a keen supporter of the bridge, urging people to get behind and vote for the project back in 2007.

Paralympic gold medallist, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, has also been a keen supporter of the bridge, speaking publicly about the benefits it will bring to pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people.

[9] The bridge is only a short distance upstream from the disused Ely Subway, a pedestrian tunnel which provided a direct connection between Penarth Dock and Grangetown for workers and sailors between 1900 and 1963.