Mersey Gateway Bridge
One of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the UK over recent years, and identified as a top priority project within UK Government’s 2016 National Infrastructure Plan; the Mersey Gateway Bridge (MGB) opened October 2017 to time and on budget. It features a 2km state of the art free flow open road tolling system with three lanes in each direction, linking the Central Expressway in Runcorn with the main routes to the M62 and towards Liverpool in Widnes.
The recognisable landmark structure brought significant money and jobs to the region through the construction phase and has been developed to bring maximum benefits for users and local people. It is set to deliver huge ongoing economic, transport and social benefits including: over 4,500 new jobs, regeneration and inward investments, reduced congestion and pollution, shorter journey times, and improvements to local public facilities, thereby having minimal impact on the estuary and its surrounding environment.
Rock Infrastructure was appointed by Halton Borough Council as its development partner for the project in 2011 because of its highly innovative procurement strategy delivering savings of £250m and best value for money design, build, finance and operations. The project was the first to use the IUK Guarantees Scheme on a PPP infrastructure project.