Deck sections joined at Mersey Gateway

The two sections of deck linking the North approach viaduct to the North pylon deck span have been joined together at the Mersey Gateway project. The bridge remains on schedule to open this autumn.

This is the first of four deck joins, called key segments, that will take place this summer. In total there are five sections of bridge deck and approach roads that need to be joined before the River Mersey is fully bridged, and the deck of the Mersey Gateway bridge completely joined up.

The new bridge deck is being built in three separate sections, with the deck being built outwards from each of the three pylons at a rate of around six metres per week.

As well as being linked to each other, the north and south main bridge deck sections also need to be linked to the approach roads – the viaducts built over the saltmarsh and the canals – approaching the river.

Hugh O’Connor, general manager of Merseylink, described joining the first bridge key segment as a milestone: “This is a major step for the project, and we remain on target to complete the final three joins this summer, with the bridge expected to open to traffic this autumn.”

Cllr Rob Polhill, leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “Joining the first sections of the bridge deck together is a fantastic achievement.

“There are now just three more joins to make between the different sections of bridge deck before it runs continuously across the estuary. If you haven’t done so already I would urge residents to get down to the riverbank to see the work that has been achieved.”