mersey gateway bridge, united kingdom

a landmark structure in north west England

Photo: Mersey Gateway

The Mersey Gateway project provides a new six-lane toll bridge over the river Mersey, and delivers a new and improved 9.2km long link road connecting the national motorway network in north Cheshire with Merseyside. Completed on time and under budget, the main crossing provides and iconic and landmark structure.

COWI led the design joint venture, and was responsible for the design of the cable stayed bridge superstructure, substructure and foundations for the bridge and the main crossing approach viaducts.

Designed for rapid construction and minimal maintenance, the highlights of the scheme include a 3km long elevated route, including a 1000m long cable stayed bridge, 12 new highway bridges and 7 new or upgraded junctions along the route through Runcorn and Widnes. The main crossing over the Mersey required a range of foundation solutions incorporating shallow and deep foundations, while the approach highways dealt with a number of significant challenges arising from ground conditions and historic land use.

The bridge opened on schedule in October 2017, and was officially opened by HM The Queen and the Duchess of Sussex on 14 June 2018.