Construction has finally begun on the Mersey Gateway project to build a new six lane toll bridge over the river between Widnes and Runcorn.

Work was started last week to build access roads across saltmarsh from both sides of the River Mersey, which will enable bridge construction teams to operate in the estuary.

Contractor PP O’Connor is carrying out access road works on behalf of the Merseylink Consortium, which will take around 16 weeks to complete. 

The £600M scheme was originally expected to start in 2011 with a 2014 opening, but suffered delays in funding. Financial close for the project was reached in March this year.

Halton Borough Council’s Rob Polhill said: “It’s great to get things underway. We have a major three and a half year construction project here that will not only give us a new bridge but will help create jobs and stimulate the regional economy.”

The next few months will also see work starting to build three pylon cofferdams in the Mersey and upgrade the road network in Runcorn.

Merseylink Construction project director Stephen Cardwell said: “The tidal flows in the estuary, the scale of the new bridge and the extent of the work we need to do to create new access routes all make this a really fascinating job.”

The new bridge promises to reduce journey times by up to 10 minutes in peak periods and improve reliability. The bridge is expected to open in autumn 2017."

(Photo: Mersey Gateway Project)

To return to the newsletter, please close this window.