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

  • Cesan launches ‘go anywhere’ mobile asphalt plant
    April 19, 2013
    Cesan AS, the global manufacturer of stationary and mobile asphalt plants, launched its new flagship product at bauma 2013. The King Batch 280 T/H has been designed for customers facing problems with a lack of infrastructure. It has a compact design, which allows it to be transported anywhere in the world in as few as eight containers, significantly reducing transport costs. In addition, Cesan AS has designed a mechanical base for the plant and this allows it to be constructed on any surface. Until now asph
    Read More
  • BHS-Sonthofen highlights RSMX series crushers
    February 26, 2013
    BHS-Sonthofen is demonstrating its rotor centrifugal crushers of the RSMX series for processing hard and medium-hard rock to produce aggregate chippings and high-quality aggregates. The company says the rock-on-rock principle and the patented rotor with just two centrifugal chambers offer advantages over multi-chamber rotors, and these include the maximum input grain sizes of up to about 80mm for hard rock and up to 150mm for soft rock; optimal material flow in the rotor, free from clogging; 15-20% greater
    Read More
  • Less damage for a low cost with SKF’s new development
    January 6, 2017
    More machines, both mobile and stationary, are using centralised lubrication which helps to ensure that all points receive the required amount of lubrication, as lack of it could result in expensive bearing damage. Escaping lubricant can have a significant negative impact on the environment, and can also incur expensive clean-up and disposal costs. SKF has developed the Lincoln Hose Connection Control, which can be operated between -50 to +70 OC, this unit shows immediately and reliably when damage occurs.
    Read More
  • Less damage for a low cost with SKF’s new development
    February 13, 2013
    More machines, both mobile and stationary, are using centralised lubrication which helps to ensure that all points receive the required amount of lubrication, as lack of it could result in expensive bearing damage. Escaping lubricant can have a significant negative impact on the environment, and can also incur expensive clean-up and disposal costs. SKF has developed the Lincoln Hose Connection Control, which can be operated between -50 to +70 OC, this unit shows immediately and reliably when damage occurs.
    Read More

Highlighted Content