The finished crossing will
provide three lanes in each
direction, linking the Central
Expressway in Runcorn with
the main routes to the M62
and towards Liverpool.
Curved Beams Help
To Raise New Mersey Gateway
Bridge Pylons
T
he project to build a new
For any major construction project,
bridge across the River
getting the foundations right is a crucial
Mersey is well underway,
aspect but when they are to be in the
with work already started at
middle of the River Mersey that can be
the sites for the three main bridge pylons.
easier said than done.
In order to have a safe environment in
The first step is actually getting to the
which to build the foundations, engineers
locations and setting up a working
have constructed a series of cofferdams
platform that can support all of the
with the help of Barnshaws metal benders,
equipment required to build the bridge
which has supplied nearly 400 tonnes of
pylons. In this case a 1,000 metre long
curved, heavy section steel for Bolton –
trestle causeway is providing temporary
based contractor, SPI Appleton Limited.
access to the locations of the three
supporting pylons allowing the cranes
The cable-stayed bridge design will have
and pile drivers to complete construction
a total span of 1,000 metres spanning
of the cofferdams.
the river Mersey and the Manchester
Ship Canal, the main bridge deck will be
These create watertight enclosures
supported by steel cables attached to
allowing the engineers to work safely
three pylons that are being built in the
below the water level of the River Mersey.
Mersey estuary.
104
PECM Issue 22