The new Mersey Gateway Bridge will:
- cross the river around 1.5 kilometres to the east of the Silver Jubilee Bridge
- be a tolled crossing
- have three lanes across the Mersey in each direction
- link the Central Expressway in Runcorn with the Eastern Bypass and Speke Road in Widnes.
Gateway Bridge design
The Mersey Gateway Bridge will be a landmark structure that will be recognisable throughout the north west and beyond. Whilst the final cosmetic design for the bridge is yet to be finalised, the draft design is based on a cable-stay structure similar to the second Severn Crossing but with three towers.
It will be 1 kilometre in length across the river and the canals.
Three piers in the river will carry the two 300 metre long outer spans that will cross the naturally occurring deeper water channels of the river at either bank. These will be supported by cable stays attached to towers that rise to 135 metres above the river bed.
This design for the bridge has been selected from a wide range of options. It was chosen because it will bring the maximum benefits for users and local people and has a minimal impact on the estuary and its surrounding environment.