The three shortlisted bidders (in alphabetical order) are:

• Balfour Beatty, Bouygues Travaux Publics, Egis Projects consortium, comprising equity members Balfour Beatty plc, Bouygues Travaux Publics and Egis Projects,
• Merseylink consortium, comprising equity members Macquarie Capital Group Limited, Bilfinger Berger Project Investments Limited, Vialia Sociedad Gestora de Concesiones de Infraestructuras S.L. and FCC Construcción S.A., and
• MGL consortium, comprising equity members Galliford Try Investments Limited, Hochtief PPP Solutions GmbH and Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras S.A.

The three were selected by Halton Borough Council from the expressions of interest received from six groups in December 2011. The selection has been based on the published pre-qualification criteria where the shortlisted bidders were awarded the highest scores.

The successful candidates will now be invited to compete for a contract to design, build, finance and operate a new toll bridge over the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes and associated work in the towns. The value of the construction phase, including land, is estimated at £600m.

Cllr. Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “We have attracted world class construction groups that have come together to compete for this prestigious contract. I look forward to announcing the eventual winner and the commencement of construction later next year.”

Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Project Director, said: “We were delighted with the quality and the quantity of the submissions we received. Each of the six groups we evaluated met our requirements but we set out to limit the procurement process to three bidding groups and we have maintained this approach so that we can reduce bid costs whilst running an effective competition.”

He added: “During the next year the project team will work with the shortlisted bidders to develop proposals that deliver quality and value for money on behalf of the taxpayer.

Project information leaflet.

Newsletter – February 2012.

The project team is aiming to make the changes to reduce the impact of the scheme on residents, to save £30 million and to deliver design improvements and flexibility along the route of the new six-lane toll bridge over the Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes.

The plans have now been lodged with Halton Borough Council’s planning department. Once they have been validated they will be available to view online or in person at Halton Direct Link offices in Runcorn and Widnes.

Responses to the Mersey Gateway Project team’s recent consultation on the plans showed broad support for the proposed modifications. Over 200 people attended exhibitions about the plans in Runcorn and Widnes and a number of people made comments relating to the proposals. These comments showed that:

• 75% of respondents who commented felt the design modifications proposed for Widnes had a positive or neutral impact,
• 71% of respondents who commented felt that the alternative designs for the new bridge and along the route that could improve value for money had a positive or neutral impact, and
• 78% of respondents who commented felt that the design modifications proposed along the Central Expressway in Runcorn had a positive or neutral impact, and
• 72% of respondents who commented on the issue supported the principle of open road tolling.

Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Project Director, said: “We are pleased that the feedback we have received endorses our decision to make these changes to the plans, and we believe the detailed proposals that are now with the council will save money and improve the plans as we move forward.”

The proposed modifications to the road layouts on either side of the river will reduce projected traffic levels on local routes around Halton Brow in Runcorn, and remove the need for large toll plazas in Widnes.

The open road tolling system will mean using cameras and modern technology to record vehicle recognition details for the collection of tolls for crossing both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Drivers will still be charged for crossing the river, but the toll plazas that were to have been developed in Widnes will not be built, and traffic will be more free-flowing.

On the Runcorn side of the river the proposed modifications have largely been developed as a result of listening to previous concerns from local residents and councillors. The project team has adjusted the plans for the slip roads at either side of Halton Brow to reduce projected peak time traffic levels on the slip road alongside Warrington Road by up to 60% and to improve access to facilities at Halton Lea.

The applications also cover possible design modifications for the new bridge. The route of the new crossing is not being changed but the project team would like to increase the design flexibility available to specialist contractors who will be responsible for confirming the design of the new bridge taking into account the proposed construction methods.

The design modifications to the main bridge under consideration would not accommodate a future light rail scheme and if these were adopted the Council would use the Silver Jubilee Bridge, rather than the new bridge, for future public transport services, including any future light rail proposals.

Survey work to map the strength and direction of currents in the Mersey Estuary has taken place this week (Monday 14^th November) as part of the development of the Mersey Gateway Project.

The surveying work, which was carried out using a specialist contractor ABPmer using Acoustic Doppler Profiling equipment, measured the speed and direction of currents in the Mersey close to where the new bridge will cross the river. It will provide prospective contractors with detailed information about the conditions they are likely to encounter when working out on the estuary.

Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Project Director, said: “This flow data will be of use initially during the planning of advance site investigation works, which are intended to determine the strength of the bed-rock upon which the bridge towers will be founded.

We already have a lot of important data about the estuary and this will add to it. During the advance works, cores will be drilled into the rock to a depth of up to 50 metres from mobile working platforms, so this work is important preparation for that taking place.

Advance work on the project is being stepped up now that the Government has agreed the detailed Mersey Gateway funding package.

The publication follows the unanimous decision by Halton Councillors at a full council meeting last Wednesday (19 October) to accept the funding conditions proposed by the Department for Transport earlier this month.

The Council will use the northwest Local Authorities’ procurement portal, ‘The Chest’, to administer the prequalification process. Potential bidders can now register through the portal to confirm their interest in tendering for the project and receive a copy of the prequalification document, which also includes a copy of the prequalification questionnaire.

Due to the complexity of the project, and the potential for bidders to propose different technical, financial and legal solutions, the Council will use the procurement regulations’ competitive dialogue procedure to procure the project. The procurement process is expected to take two years, with a final contract being awarded towards the end of 2013.

Cllr Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that every Councillor has voted to accept the funding conditions proposed by Government. That shows the cross-party commitment and consensus there is locally and in the region behind this project.”

Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Bridge Project Director, said: “We are very pleased that we have able to respond quickly to Government’s funding offer and begin the procurement programme within three weeks of the Secretary of State’s announcement. We are aware there is a great deal of interest in this tendering opportunity and we are looking forward to receiving expressions of interest from world class organisations.”

The chance comes following the announcement earlier this week by the Transport Secretary that the Government is to invest up to £470million in the project over its lifetime. This investment confirms that the project will go ahead.

Proposed modifications to the road layouts that are being considered on either side of the river would reduce projected traffic levels on local routes around Halton Brow in Runcorn, and remove the need for large toll plazas in Widnes. These are at the heart of modified proposals to deliver the Mersey Gateway Project.

An Open Road Tolling (ORT) system would mean using cameras and modern technology to record vehicle recognition details for the collection of tolls for crossing both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Although this would mean that drivers would still be charged for crossing the river, the toll plazas that would have been built in Widnes would not be developed, and that traffic would be more free-flowing.

On the Runcorn side of the river the proposed modifications have largely been developed as a result of listening to concerns from local residents and councillors. The project team has adjusted the plans for the slip roads at either side of Halton Brow to reduce projected peak time traffic levels alongside Warrington Road by up to 60% and to improve access to facilities at Halton Lea.

The consultation also covers possible alternative designs for the  new bridge. The route of the new crossing is not changed but the Council would like to increase the design flexibility available to specialist contractors who will be responsible for confirming the design of the new bridge within the scope of planning permissions obtained.  Some design freedom is important to improve the construction process and maximise value for money.

The alternative designs under consideration would not accommodate a future light rail scheme and if these were adopted the Council would use the Silver Jubilee Bridge rather than the new bridge for future public transport services including any light rail future proposals.

Delivering the changes identified would require new planning applications. but before any planning applications are submitted, the project team is keen to hear the views of local people. The Council may decide to build a scheme based on the current approved scheme.

Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Project Director, said: “Our discussions with Government, local residents, councillors and others have identified ways that could improve value for money across the project and better meet the concerns of residents.”

He added: “Although the changes identified are relatively small, our estimates show that this amended approach could reduce the cost of the scheme by at least £30 million, but it is important that we get the views of local communities before we submit any new planning applications. ”

As part of the consultation, the project team is holding two exhibitions in October to give local communities a chance to give their views on possible modifications to the project. There will be one exhibition in Runcorn and one in Widnes.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the proposed modifications or give their views is welcome to come along to one of the exhibitions and speak to a member of the Mersey Gateway team.

The exhibitions are taking place at:

Anyone interested in contributing to the consultation can also view the consultation materials and submit their views online or contact the project team on 0151 495 4091 to ask any detailed questions.

Mersey Gateway bosses have today (Monday 3 October 2011) said they are ‘delighted’ that Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP has confirmed that a detailed funding agreement for the project has been signed off by Government.

The Secretary of State for Transport confirmed the agreement in a news release issued today by the Department for Transport, saying: “The Mersey Gateway Bridge is an important transport project which will improve journeys and boost economic growth. It will not only provide much needed traffic relief for the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, but also help to regenerate the Borough of Halton, the Liverpool city region and the wider north west by improving transport links, maximising local development and regional economic growth opportunities.

He added: “In response to the Government’s request to reduce costs, Halton Borough Council have achieved savings of around £30m on the original proposed cost – meaning the scheme will offer better value to the taxpayer, whilst bringing vital improvements to the region. Further cost savings are expected through a competitive procurement process.”

Cllr Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “This is great news and clears the way for us to launch our competition for the delivery of the new crossing. I’d like to thank everybody from across the region who has worked tirelessly to support the Mersey Gateway Project over recent years as it is only with their support that we have been able to secure this deal which will be transformational for the regional economy in years to come.”

He added: “It is worth remembering that detailed research has shown that Mersey Gateway can be the catalyst that creates over 4,000 jobs, improves journey times and reliability for millions of people in the region and brings massive inward investment and regeneration potential in to the area.

David Parr, Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council, said: “Today’s announcement means that we can now begin the procurement phase, which is all about selecting the best possible private sector partner to work with the council to design, build, finance and operate the scheme. We will also be consulting very soon on some of the details of the changes that will save around £30 million on the cost of the project.”

Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Project Director, said: “We have been working very closely with Government over recent months to finalise the details of this agreement and I am delighted with the results. This agreement represents the best possible deal for the public purse and means that we can focus on delivering a project that will bring benefits to local people, commuters and businesses from across the region.”

Today’s announcement means the Department for Transport has agreed to contribute up to £470 million to the project over its lifetime. This is made up of £86m in direct capital grant and up to £14.55m per year in long term revenue support for 26 ½ years after opening.

The project was given initial funding approval by Chancellor George Osborne as part of the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review, and then received planning approval in December 2010.

The procurement process is now planned to commence later in October leading to construction work starting within two years. The new bridge is expected to take around three years to complete. The construction cost, including land purchase and remediation, is expected to be £589 million.