Mersey Gateway ready for next phase

Construction teams from the Merseylink Consortium have completed the most recent phase of building the Mersey Gateway Bridge, and have marked the occasion with a 24-hour concrete pour.

The construction team saw a total of 1,400 cubic metres being poured during this timeframe, with the concrete acting as part of three pylons being installed to act as support beams for the bridge. These pylons will each be measured at 4.5m tall and have a diameter of 22m.

The foundations of the bridge will involve the insertion of a base layer, or concrete flooring, inside of the cofferdams. Once this has been completed, a cage made from steel reinforcement bars is set to be assembled. During construction, a platform will be installed to ensure safe access for workers on the site.

It is estimated that a total of 127,000 cubic metres of materials, including concrete, will be used to complete the project.

The pylons will continue to be installed and should become visible from the river’s estuary around September this year as they begin to rise from the riverbed to support the bridge’s decking.

The bridge is being constructed to connect the towns of Runcorn and Widnes as a solution to the constant traffic congestion on the current Silver Jubilee Bridge. The project is being spearheaded by the Merseylink Consortium, which expects the venture to last for just over three years. An initial operating date for the bridge to be opened to public traffic is currently set to the beginning of 2017.