First deck span completed for Mersey Gateway's north approach viaduct

The Mersey Gateway Project achieved another milestone as the first deck span for the elevated north approach viaduct was completed. The reinforced concrete deck span was revealed when Merseylink's movable scaffolding system (MSS) 'Trinity' moved to its second casting position. It is the first of 11 spans that will be cast by the MSS for the deck of the elevated approach viaduct on the north side of the River Mersey.
February 12, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

The 6126 Mersey Gateway Project achieved another milestone as the first deck span for the elevated north approach viaduct was completed.

The reinforced concrete deck span was revealed when Merseylink's movable scaffolding system (MSS) 'Trinity' moved to its second casting position. It is the first of 11 spans that will be cast by the MSS for the deck of the elevated approach viaduct on the north side of the River Mersey.

The MSS, which acts as a giant concrete mould, was specially designed for the Mersey Gateway Project. It is being used to build the two elevated approach viaducts over the Mersey estuary.

The span connects the beginning of the approach viaduct from the north abutment in Widnes to the first supporting pier. It measures around 60m long and 18m wide and is angled at 5 degrees to allow vehicles to travel safely around the curve of the approach road.

Construction teams worked around the clock to get the span ready. This involved pouring 1,146m3 of concrete into the MSS non-stop over 34 hours.


"This is a real achievement for the project and a milestone that we've been looking forward to with anticipation,” said Declan Cannar, Merseylink's general foreman in charge of the MSS operation. “We're now busy preparing the MSS so it's ready to cast the next section."

The approach viaduct deck is being constructed in three phases. The deck spans are constructed first by the MSS, then a deck slab is built on top of the span, and finally the outer deck or ‘wings' are built by a wing traveller machine to provide the full six lane width of the approach road.

The MSS has moved to its second casting position ready for work to begin on the next span, which will be cast in March.

View Trinity in action by clicking here.
%$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.merseygateway.co.uk/live-view Visit www.merseygateway.co.uk/live-view false http://www.merseygateway.co.uk/live-view false false%>

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • John Deere to show entire Final Tier 4/Stage IV diesel engine line-up
    April 9, 2013
    John Deere Power Systems’ (JDPS) entire Final Tier 4/Stage IV diesel engine line-up can be seen with the company showing its familiar PowerTech displacements of 2.9, 4.5, 6.8, 9 and 13.5litres. United States Final Tier 4 and European Union Stage IV emissions regulations for mobile off-highway diesel engines 56kW and above will be implemented in stages starting in 2014 and 2015. These standards maintain the particulate matter (PM) levels established by Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations while requiring a
    Read More
  • Hitachi’s new high production ZX870LCH-5 excavator
    February 8, 2013
    With an operating weight of 83.8 – 86tonnes, Hitachi’s giant ZX870LCH-5 excavator is said to be built to operate on the most demanding job sites, such as large-scale construction projects and in busy quarries. The model incorporates the HIOS IIIB hydraulic system, said to allow for faster operation with lower fuel consumption and increased front speed. The ZX870LCH-5 is claimed to have 6% more productivity in H/P mode compared to the previous Zaxis model. Swing torque is also said to have increased by 9% an
    Read More
  • Extra versatility for special Bell ADT
    January 6, 2017
    From Bell Equipment comes a special version of its B30 truck in the shape of a 4x4 version of the B30D. Introduced as part of the firm’s VersaTruck programme, the 4x4 version of the B30D has been developed for a range of applications such as use in underground tunnel construction and underground mining, or quarrying. The shorter rear chassis and single rear axle means that the truck is able to manoeuvre in tighter spaces than the conventional B30 machine, suiting it to applications such as underground opera
    Read More
  • Extra versatility for special Bell ADT
    February 6, 2013
    From Bell Equipment comes a special version of its B30 truck in the shape of a 4x4 version of the B30D. Introduced as part of the firm’s VersaTruck programme, the 4x4 version of the B30D has been developed for a range of applications such as use in underground tunnel construction and underground mining, or quarrying. The shorter rear chassis and single rear axle means that the truck is able to manoeuvre in tighter spaces than the conventional B30 machine, suiting it to applications such as underground opera
    Read More

Highlighted Content