Mersey Gateway Bridge, UK
A catalyst for growth in North West England
About
Challenge
Minimising the environmental impact on the estuary and its surrounding environment during the construction of the bridge. Dealing with significant challenges arising from ground conditions and historic land use. Developing a design that could be built within a very compressed programme.
Solution
A design for the bridge that maximises benefits for users and the local community while minimising the environmental impact on the estuary and its surroundings. Using innovative construction techniques to safely construct the bridge and approach viaducts. Employing a range of foundation solutions to address different ground conditions for the main crossing and approach highways.
Value
The bridge offers quicker, easier and more reliable travel across the River Mersey, benefitting Halton and the North West region. Improved journey times with average savings of typically 20 minutes or more, leading to reduced vehicle emissions. The project also drives growth with a long-term positive impact.
Specifications
Facts
At the centre of the project, the bridge is 2.25 kilometres long, with a one-kilometre-long cable-supported section suspended from three pylons, the tallest being 125 metres high.
Bridge
The Mersey Gateway Project was identified as one of the UK government’s top-40 priority projects in the National Infrastructure Plan and has been recognised by KPMG as one of the ‘Top 100 infrastructure projects around the globe’. It has received many accolades, including the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineers (IABSE) Outstanding Structure Award in 2019.
Location
Located in North West England, spanning the River Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes.
Period
2012–2017: Design and construction. 2017–ongoing: Support to the bridge owner
Country
United Kingdom
Partners
Halton Borough Council (client) and Samsung-FCC-Kier JV (contractor)
Services
Concept and detailed design of the bridge; design of the bridge and approach viaduct foundations; construction engineering services; ongoing operations and maintenance advice.
Transforming transportation and catalysing growth in the UK's North West
The Mersey Gateway project was part of a 30-year concession agreement to provide a strategic new link in North West's transportation network, enhancing connectivity.
The three-pylon cable-stayed bridge is a UK landmark structure recognisable throughout the North West and beyond, providing a much-needed new crossing of the river and acting as a potential catalyst for growth in the region.
“Development of the design of the Mersey Gateway Bridge centred around reducing the environmental impact and providing more for less. Working with a demanding timeline, our team worked closely with the contractor, concessionaire and bridge owner in a collaborative model to maximise the value created.”
Paul Sanders, Director, Bridges UK, COWI
Pioneering sustainable infrastructure
The project is the first long-span cable-supported concrete bridge constructed in the UK, paving the way for future advancements in concrete bridge construction. It drives growth both locally and regionally with a long-term positive impact – job creation, community outreach and inward investment – catalysing positive change in the region.
The project was one of the early pioneers of sustainability, promoting social value, preservation of biodiversity and reductions in embodied carbon.
Connecting expertise
COWI led the Mersey Gateway Design Joint Venture – alongside AECOM, Fhecor and Eptisa, with architectural support by Dissing+Weitling. COWI designed the bridge while AECOM led the design of the landside works including seven kilometres of new roads.
Structural and geotechnical engineers from COWI worked closely with the Merseylink Civil Contractors, Merseylink Ltd (the DBFO consortium) and Halton Borough Council to develop a design that could be built quickly and operated and maintained as cost-effectively as possible.
Built through innovation
The main bridge deck is constructed from pre-stressed and reinforced concrete suspended from the pylons via high-strength steel cable stays. The decks of the approach viaducts were constructed using two 1,700-tonne, 157-metre-long self-propelled launching gantries (movable scaffolding systems), enabling rapid and safe construction of a complete 70-metre-long span in a single pour.
On the cable-stayed bridge, six smaller gantries (form travellers) were used to cast the deck in six-metre-long segments in a typical cycle of just five days.
“The successful delivery of the Mersey Gateway Bridge project has brought tangible and meaningful social and economic benefits to the people of Runcorn and Widnes, as well as to the wider North West England.”
John Banks, Director, Bridges UK, COWI
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