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

  • BAUMA CONEXPO show – bC India – set for December
    November 18, 2014
    India’s construction sector is well positioned to take advantage of business opportunities when the government moves to revitalise the frail economy, as visitors to this year’s bC India show will find out. New roads, power plants, airports and other infrastructure have been promised by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his Bhartiya Janta Party comes off a May election with a clear majority.
    Read More
  • Innovative pre-casting technology is available from PRENSOLAND
    January 6, 2017
    Spanish company PRENSOLAND seeks to push the boundaries of concrete pre-casting technology with its new machinery and equipment developments. Novel technologies are now being introduced what are said to be more versatile with regard to the size and shape of product as well as the manufacturing quality and mechanical properties.
    Read More
  • Innovative pre-casting technology is available from PRENSOLAND
    March 27, 2013
    Spanish company PRENSOLAND seeks to push the boundaries of concrete pre-casting technology with its new machinery and equipment developments. Novel technologies are now being introduced what are said to be more versatile with regard to the size and shape of product as well as the manufacturing quality and mechanical properties.
    Read More
  • Innovative, flexible bridge formwork systems
    February 14, 2012
    Innovative formwork systems have been used to construct a variety of bridge structures. Patrick Smith reports. As part of the work on Germany's new A4 autobahn near Eisenach, the contracting joint venture awarded the formwork contract for two of the three viaducts to Doka. What makes this assignment so special to the company is that although the two steel composite bridges each have very different cross-sections, the JV is using the same overslung composite forming carriage to pour the carriageway slabs of
    Read More

Highlighted Content